Stock Market Live July 18: S&P 500 (VOO) Hitting Higher Highs on Positive Earnings Reports
Key Points
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The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF hit an all-time high last night, and earnings are driving it even higher on Friday.
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Netflix reported powerful profits last night, and a series of financial stocks are keeping the momentum going this morning.
Live Updates
Friday Wrap-up
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF closed at 576.90 Friday, down 0.05% for the day — but up 0.50% for the week!
Consumer Outlook Brightens
The latest University of Michigan Survey of Consumers sentiment rose 1.8 points in July to 61.8, the brightest consumer outlook since before President Trump began announcing tariffs in April. While still-incoming tariffs remain a threat to the economy and to inflation levels, the Survey found consumers on average expect inflation rates of only 4.4% a year from now, and averaging 3.6% over the next five years.
Steady Growth at Netflix
Circling back to the Netflix report, the streaming entertainment leader raised its full-year revenue prediction from $44.8 billion to $45.2 billion, and said its growth rate will be from 15% to 16% this year. Operating profit margins will be lower than achieved in Q2, however, which may be discouraging investors today.
Order Up Some Chipotle?
BMO Capital analyst Andrew Strelzik upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG | MMM Price Prediction) to Outperform this morning with a price target of $65.00, implying gains of 20% over the next 12 months. Strelzik writes: “CMG is well positioned for accelerating comp growth and improving margin trajectory beginning in 2H25.”
The analyst values Chipotle at a heady 45x 2026 earnings, but points out that this is “largely in line with CMG’s historical average.”
Chipotle stock is up 0.9% in the first few minutes of trading. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF’s is still up 0.1%.
This article will be updated throughout the day, so check back often for more daily updates.
The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) closed at a new all-time high Thursday, 577.18, and seems to be aiming for a repeat Friday, rising 0.2% in premarket trading. With most of the week’s macroeconomic and tariffs news now in the rear view mirror, it’s earnings that are driving the gains today.
Earnings
Financial stocks that are also S&P 500 component companies are doing well this morning.
Charles Shwab (NYSE: SCHW) reported $1.14 per share in its Q2 report, a nickel better than expected, and revenues beat expectations as well.
American Express (NYSE: AXP) earned $4.08 per share, $0.21 more than analysts predicted, and again, revenues were stronger than expected.
Regions Financial (NYSE: RF) reported $0.60 per share, $0.04 better than expected. And you guessed it, revenue also beat expectations.
Huntington Bancshares (Nasdaq: HBAN) beat by a penny with $0.34 per share earned in Q2.
Elsewhere in the market, the news was also good. S&P component company 3M (NYSE: MMM) reported a $2.16 per share profit, $0.15 better than analysts had forecast, with $6.3 billion in revenue — well ahead of the $6.1 billion prediction.
Oh, and last night we saw Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) report. Revenues were only a hair better than predicted at $11.08 billion, but Netflix had a huge $7.19 per share profit that was $0.12 better than expected.
Joel South covers large-cap stocks, dividend investing, and major market trends, with a focus on earnings analysis, valuation, and turning complex data into actionable insights for investors.
He brings more than 15 years of experience as an investor and financial journalist, including 12 years at The Motley Fool, where he served as an investment analyst, Bureau Chief, and later led the Fool.com investing news desk. He has also co-hosted an investing podcast and appeared across TV and radio discussing market trends.
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