The week is off to an energetic—if cautious—start on Wall Street. Dow Jones futures nudged higher Monday morning, alongside modest gains for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. The buzz? Big names like Robinhood and AppLovin are finally joining the prestigious S&P 500 index, while all eyes turn toward Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 event set for Tuesday.
But there’s more shaping the week than just shiny new iPhones. Investors are juggling fresh inflation data, shifting Fed expectations, and a stock rally that feels both powerful and fragile at the same time.
Market Recap: Records, Reversals, and Rate-Cut Hopes
Last Friday gave traders a rollercoaster. The market briefly touched record highs in the morning, only to cool off by the close. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended the week higher, while the Dow slipped slightly.
Fueling the moves? A weaker-than-expected August jobs report. On the surface, that suggests the labor market is cooling. But on Wall Street, “bad news” can sometimes feel like “good news” — weaker jobs data revived hopes that the Federal Reserve might step in with a rate cut. Of course, the flip side is the fear that the economy itself may be stalling out.
Semiconductor drama also stole headlines. Broadcom soared on earnings, but its surge came at the expense of rivals like Nvidia and AMD, both of which stumbled. Even AI-adjacent stocks, like GE Vernova, struggled to keep their footing.
Futures Snapshot: What’s Moving Now
- Dow Jones futures: +0.1%
- S&P 500 futures: +0.15%
- Nasdaq 100 futures: +0.3%
- Crude oil: +2%, with OPEC+ agreeing to ramp up production in October
As usual, these pre-market moves don’t always translate directly into the trading day, but they give a good sense of investor sentiment heading into the week.
The Big Winners: Robinhood & AppLovin
After being snubbed in past reshuffles, Robinhood (HOOD) and AppLovin (APP) are officially set to join the S&P 500 on September 22. For investors, this is a milestone moment. Funds that track the index will now be scooping up these stocks, which often sends share prices higher.
Unsurprisingly, both stocks jumped Monday morning. AppLovin looks ready to push to new highs, while Robinhood is carving out fresh opportunities for investors hunting for an entry point.
Apple in the Spotlight
If there’s one event Wall Street — and Main Street — won’t ignore this week, it’s Apple’s iPhone 17 launch. Apple stock is already in a buy zone, and anticipation is sky-high.
Beyond just a new phone, investors want to see if Apple can rekindle iPhone buzz and remind the market why it remains one of the most valuable companies on the planet. Last week, Apple shares got an extra boost after a federal judge spared its lucrative Google search deal from tough penalties.
Other Stocks on the Move
- Tesla (TSLA): Shares rallied 5% last week as Elon Musk’s eye-popping pay package made headlines. Add in buzz about Tesla’s robotaxi app—even in its limited form—and the stock has regained momentum.
- Home Depot (HD): Riding the wave of tumbling mortgage rates, Home Depot is benefiting from renewed housing optimism. Shares broke through a key buy point.
- Micron (MU): A standout, jumping nearly 6% Friday and breaking out of a bullish setup.
- Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM): Rebounded after a midweek dip, gaining more than 5% for the week.
What’s Next: Inflation, Earnings, and Market Strategy
This week isn’t just about Apple. Investors are bracing for key inflation reports (PPI and CPI) that could influence the Fed’s next move. Plus, earnings from Oracle and cybersecurity firm Rubrik add to the calendar.
For traders, the market is right at record highs, but choppy reversals have made stock-picking tricky. The message from seasoned pros? Stay invested, but choose carefully. Build your watchlists, look for strong setups, and don’t chase every bounce.
