Saturday, February 22, 2025

Tesla Soars 3.2% Amid Buzz Over Self-Driving Taxis

Wall Street retreated from record highs on December 5th as investors awaited the November jobs report from the U.S. Labor Department. Tesla shares surged 3.2% on robo-taxi expectations. / UPI
Wall Street retreated from record highs on December 5 as investors awaited the November jobs report from the U.S. Labor Department. Tesla shares surged 3.2% on robo-taxi expectations. / UPI

The New York stock market ended its record-breaking streak, closing lower on Thursday.

Investors adopted a cautious stance following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s hints at a slower pace of interest rate cuts on the previous day. The market is waiting for the November employment data.

Tesla saw a significant jump of 3.2%, while Nvidia edged down by 0.05%. The “Magnificent Seven” tech giants showed mixed results.

Broad-based decline

All three major New York stock market indexes closed in negative territory.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated below the 45,000 mark, shedding 248.33 points (0.55%) to close at 44,765.71.

The decline was caused as the UnitedHealth Group’s stock plummeted 5.2% following the shocking assassination of its CEO in midtown Manhattan.

The tech-heavy S&P 500 and Nasdaq fared slightly better.

Four Magnificent Seven stocks posted gains, limiting the S&P 500 and Nasdaq’s losses to less than 0.2%.

The S&P 500 dipped 11.38 points (0.19%) to 6,075.11, while the Nasdaq slipped 34.86 points (0.18%) to 19,700.26.

Tesla accelerates 3.2%

Tesla’s stock revved up by over 3%.

Tesla closed at $369.49, surging $11.56 (3.23%). This latest gain propelled Tesla’s stock price to a remarkable 52% increase since the election on November 5.

The rise was fueled by anticipation surrounding the company’s autonomous taxi service and Cybertruck, both of which are expected to launch in 2026.

A Tesla engineer revealed that about half of the Cybertruck’s components would overlap with the Model 3, potentially reducing production costs.

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives projects Tesla’s autonomous driving division, including the Cybertruck, could tap into a $1 trillion market.

Amazon also continued its upward trajectory.

Amazon finished at $220.55, climbing $2.39 (1.10%). This marked its fifth consecutive day of gains since November 29, and it has accumulated a more than 7% increase during this period.

After a 3.5% surge on the previous day, Nvidia retreated slightly amid profit-taking, closing down $0.07 (0.05%) at $145.06.

Oil prices slip despite OPEC+ production cut extension

International oil prices declined for the second consecutive day.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) unexpectedly extended its production cuts instead of increasing output as planned, which caused the oil prices to fall.

The market focused more on the underlying weak demand that prompted the production cut extension rather than potential supply constraints.

The delay in expected production increases underscored concerns about the decrease in demand.

The international oil benchmark of Brent crude settled at $72.09 per barrel, down $0.22 (0.30%) from the previous session.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. oil benchmark, closed at $68.30 per barrel for January delivery, dropping $0.24 (0.35%) from the last trading day.

Hot this week

Japan Marks 30 Years Since Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack with New Website to Educate Youth

Japan plans a website to mark the 30th anniversary of the Aum Shinrikyo sarin attack, educating youth about its impact and legacy.

Meta Shares Plunge, Ending Record-Setting 17-Day Run

Meta Platforms' stock fell sharply, ending a 20-day winning streak and erasing recent gains amid profit-taking and market decline.

S&P 500 Hits New High, But Tech Giants Face Struggles in the Market

The NYSE saw a broad rally with the S&P 500 reaching a new high, while M7 tech stocks struggled, notably Meta's decline.

Why Using Cotton Swabs in Your Ears is Dangerous, According to Health Experts

Experts warn against using cotton swabs to clean ears, as it can worsen earwax buildup and potentially lead to tinnitus.

Trump Media Group Posts Losses as Truth Social Faces Declining Revenue

TMTG, Trump's media company, reported losses despite stock rise; Truth Social's revenue fell, citing legal costs and ad agreement changes.

Topics

Japan Marks 30 Years Since Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack with New Website to Educate Youth

Japan plans a website to mark the 30th anniversary of the Aum Shinrikyo sarin attack, educating youth about its impact and legacy.

Meta Shares Plunge, Ending Record-Setting 17-Day Run

Meta Platforms' stock fell sharply, ending a 20-day winning streak and erasing recent gains amid profit-taking and market decline.

S&P 500 Hits New High, But Tech Giants Face Struggles in the Market

The NYSE saw a broad rally with the S&P 500 reaching a new high, while M7 tech stocks struggled, notably Meta's decline.

Why Using Cotton Swabs in Your Ears is Dangerous, According to Health Experts

Experts warn against using cotton swabs to clean ears, as it can worsen earwax buildup and potentially lead to tinnitus.

Trump Media Group Posts Losses as Truth Social Faces Declining Revenue

TMTG, Trump's media company, reported losses despite stock rise; Truth Social's revenue fell, citing legal costs and ad agreement changes.

Fed’s Waller Downplays Inflation Risks from Trump Tariffs, Dismisses Rate Cut Concerns

Waller downplays tariff inflation risks, suggesting limited impact on Fed policy as rates remain stable amid economic growth.

Sleeping in Dirty Socks? Study Reveals It’s Worse Than You Think

Wearing dirty socks to bed can harm health; clean socks improve sleep quality and hygiene practices are recommended.

Egg Prices Skyrocket as U.S. Faces Backlash Over Avian Flu Response Cuts

Avian influenza causes egg prices to soar in the U.S., while the Trump administration faces backlash for layoffs in response personnel.

Related Articles