21 July 2025 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Tech Titans Fuel Wall Street Surge as Tariff Talks and Earnings Hopes Drive Markets to Record Highs

Gary Hall

and

Steven Hansen

Jul 21, 2025

The Dow closed down 19 points or 0.04%,
NASDAQ closed up 79 points or 0.38%, (New Historic high 21,077, Closed at 20,974)
S&P 500 closed up 9 points or 0.14%, (New Historic high 6,336, Closed at 6,306)
Gold $3,410 up $51.7 or 1.55%,
WTI crude oil settled at $67 down $0.31 or 0.46%,
10-year U.S. Treasury 4.376 down 0.055 points or 1.241%,
USD index 97.88 down $0.61 or 0.62%,
Bitcoin $116,848 down $1,437 or 1.23%, (24 Hours),

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing

Today’s Highlights – Market Summary

U.S. stock markets surged to record highs on July 21, 2025, buoyed by strong performances from Alphabet and other major tech firms ahead of a critical week of earnings reports. Optimism about potential trade deals to offset the impact of the Trump administration’s looming global tariffs further fueled investor sentiment. Alphabet led tech gains with shares rising over 2% in anticipation of its upcoming quarterly results, while other tech giants such as Apple and Amazon also posted notable advances. The market rally was reinforced by Verizon’s upward revision of annual profit forecasts and a flurry of better-than-expected corporate earnings, particularly from companies that benefited from the current tariff regime. Overseas, cautious optimism prevailed as global investors monitored political shifts in Japan, central bank decisions in China and Europe, and mixed economic signals from commodity and property markets. Meanwhile, traders eyed upcoming economic data releases and awaited speeches from central bank leaders that could hint at future interest rate cuts. With nearly one-fifth of S&P 500 firms set to report earnings this week and trade negotiations reaching a critical juncture ahead of the August 1 tariff deadline, investors remained alert but hopeful for continued market resilience.

Read the July 2025 Economic Forecast: Progress on a Rough Path

Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

The Leading Indicators, which was released today, will be covered in tomorrows newsletter.

Infographic of the Day from Visual Capitalist:

This infographic explores the quantities of rare earths used in major U.S. defense platforms.

Statista Graphic of the Day:

Infographic: Closing of Epstein Investigation Unpopular With Voters | Statista

You will find more infographics at Statista

The headlines we are reading:

Weather Outlook for the United States and the World – Continuously Updated

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks (up to four weeks) and three- and six-day World weather outlooks, which can be very useful for travelers and understanding World News Events. We also provide continual coverage of world tropical events and special coverage for such events and other special weather situations impacting or likely to impact the United States. To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings, click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code in the upper left corner.

Is Obama About to Get His Comeuppance?

The stock market continues to waft higher with the riskless predictability of loaded dice. DaBoyz have trained their firepower on just a few high-flyers, chiefly Microsoft and Nvidia, in order to squeeze the broad averages skyward with an absolute minimum of capital. I’ve explained here before in exhaustive detail how this carnival midway trick is performed, beginning with a short-covering gap on most mornings that precipitously reverses overnight selling after it has dried up. Putting aside the fakery and tedium of the seemingly endless bull market, along with the Epstein saga and Trump’s tiresome tariff antics, the most interesting story in the news last week was Tulsi Gabbard’s tweets implicating Barack Obama in treason. Although Biden, frequently photographed slurping an ice cream cone, would seem to have a lock on Worst President Ever, it is Obama who will go down in history as the leader who did America the most harm, all of it deliberate.

Southwest Airlines sets a date for seat assignment launch, lays out new boarding order

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Trump Media builds $2 billion bitcoin hoard, as crypto swells president's net worth

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S&P 500 posts first close above 6,300, Nasdaq hits a record ahead of big tech earnings: Live updates

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Treasury Secretary Bessent calls for a review of 'the entire' Federal Reserve

Bessent suggested for a review that would go beyond the current controversy over building renovations.

Trump's 'big beautiful bill' is projected to add $3.4 trillion to the debt, budget office says

The law will also "increase by 10 million the number of people without health insurance" over the coming decade, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated.

Pepsi introduces prebiotic cola months after Poppi acquisition

Four months ago, PepsiCo bought prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion.

This is one of the most attractive opportunities for income, Vanguard says. Here's what the firm likes

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Astronomer CEO's ‘kiss cam’ controversy sparked over $7 million in prediction markets bets on his ouster

The controversy triggered $2.4 million in total trading volumes on Kalshi, marking one of the most traded cultural events on prediction markets.

JPMorgan Chase overhauls quantum computing leadership, poaches State Street executive

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OpenAI and UK sign new AI agreement to boost security, infrastructure

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Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ includes these key tax changes for 2025 — what they mean for you

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New Astronomer CEO gives first statement since Coldplay kiss-cam scandal

Pete DeJoy, who was named interim CEO of Astronomer over the weekend, made his first public comments about his new gig in a post Monday.

Trump's trade war taking biggest toll on nation's smaller, secondary ports from California to Gulf Coast

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Retail Speculation Is Back With A Vengeance

Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,

Retail speculation is once again gripping the markets. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted how the latest retail gambling vehicle—zero-days-to-expiration (0DTE) options—has exploded in popularity. According to CBOE, trading volumes in these contracts have surged nearly sixfold over the past five years, with retail traders now accounting for more than half of all transactions. This rapid rise in speculative options trading has intensified since 2020.

This is more than a quirky market statistic. It’s a glaring warning sign of rising risk-taking behavior among retail investors. History consistently shows that markets peak when the average investor starts chasing lottery-like returns. Options, by design, are speculative instruments used to hedge risk or make directional bets. However, the explosion in 0DTE options points to a sig ...

'Fk Clooney & Carville' - Hunter Biden Goes On Expletive-Laced Rant About... Everything**

'F**k Clooney & Carville' - Hunter Biden Goes On Expletive-Laced Rant About... Everything

Hunter Biden, the scandal-plagued son of former President Joe Biden, launched into an unhinged, expletive-filled meltdown during a recent interview, attacking his own party's elite establishment while defending illegal immigration and making shocking admissions about his drug-fueled past.

In what can only be described as an unglued performance on Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, the younger Biden lashed out at top Democrats, calling George Clooney a "fucking brand" rather than an actor, dismissing James Carville as irrelevant, and exposing the Pod Save America hosts as grifting "junior fucking speech writers" who have been "making millions" off their Obama connections.

Hunter Biden just went off on the Democratic Party: "Fuck him and everybody around him... George Clooney is not a fucking an actor. He's a brand." "James Carville hasn ...

US Orders New Restrictions On Flights From Mexico Amid Aviation Dispute

Authored by Ryan Morgan via The Epoch Times,

The U.S. Department of Transportation imposed new restrictions on flight operations from Mexico to the United States on July 19 in response to flight restrictions Mexico previously levied against the United States.

Under the new restrictions, Mexico will have to file schedules with the U.S. Transportation Department for all U.S. operations and obtain department approval to operate large passenger or cargo charter flights between Mexico and the United States.

In a July 19 statement, the U.S. Transportation Department said Mexico, since 2022, has not been in compliance with the Air Transport Agreeme ...

Fed Chair Powell Criminally Referred To DoJ For Perjury

Last week saw President Trump kinda sorta deny reported plans to fire Fed Chair Jay Powell:

“We’re not planning on doing it,” he said Wednesday at the White House.

“I don’t rule out anything,” he added, “but I think it’s highly unlikely, unless he has to leave for fraud.”

But now, that latter comment is coming into play as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., refers Powell to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal charges, accusing him of two specific instances of lying under oath.

Luna is accusing Powell of perjury on two occasions, according to a letter to the DOJ first obtained by Fox News Digital.

"On June 25, 2025, Chairman Powell provided testimony under oath before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs regarding the renovation of the Federa ...

What's Driving India's Historic Renewable Energy Expansion?

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US Nuclear Industry Revival on the Horizon

In late May, President Trump issued four separate Executive Orders (EOs) with respect to growing the nuclear power industry in the US. As the implementation of these orders begins, several Washington focused publications have written about one emerging consequence of these EOsthe likely termination of NRC oversight with respect to approval of new nuclear reactor designs. This major responsibility is being moved to the Pentagon and the Department of Energy. One administration official referred to the NRCs prospective role in

Slovakia to Tap Up to 100% Russian Gas Under EU Exemption

Slovakias government is planning to increase its intake of Russian pipeline gas under a temporary EU exemption, reversing earlier commitments to phase out Russian energy supplies in a controversial move amid a growing bloc-wide crackdown on Russian fossil fuels. The exemption allows Bratislava to continue drawing from Gazprom supplies until 2027, aligning with a long-term contract that runs through 2034. The decision comes after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico lifted his veto on the EUs newest sanctions package against Russia,

Unpacking Azerbaijan's Controversial Energy Market Overhaul

Azerbaijan is trying to implement a comprehensive plan to overhaul the domestic heating and electricity market, not only expanding renewables share of power generation but also implementing liberalization measures. The reforms stand to generate a fair amount of public discontent. A series of laws adopted by Azerbaijans rubber-stamp parliament in the spring is paving the way for tariff reform in the domestic energy market, namely heating and electricity. The changes, especially when it comes to setting usage rates, are occurring with

New Baltic Find Could Be Polands Largest Oil Discovery Ever

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China Chokes Off Antimony, Boosts Overall Rare Earth Flows

China sharply curtailed exports of two key critical minerals in June, with outbound shipments of antimony falling by 88% and germanium by 95% compared to January levels, Asia Financial reported on Monday, noting that the drop reflects Beijings intensifying crackdown on transshipment and unauthorized export activity after discovering that material was being routed through third countries such as Thailand and Mexico. The measures come amid escalating geopolitical competition over supply chains for strategic metals used in semiconductors,

EU Steel Industry Braces for Safeguards Amid Tariff Turmoil

In September, the European Steel Association (Eurofer) plans to introduce a proposal for an early and intensified safeguard system on imports. According to director Axel Eggert, this would replace the current general safeguard system used by the steel industry. Eurofer stated that the proposed system includes stronger tariff-rate quota (TRQ) protections for European producers, with consistent enforcement across all exporting countries. The trade body added that the TRQs would apply to all steel categories, including downstream and derivative products.

BP Appoints New Chairman as Investors Push for Strategic Clarity

BP has appointed Albert Manifold as its new chairman, selecting the former CRH chief executive to lead the board at a time of heightened investor pressure and strategic uncertainty. Manifold will join BP as chair-elect on September 1 and take over from Helge Lund on October 1, the company said in a press release on Monday. The leadership transition follows a period of sustained criticism from shareholders frustrated by BPs wavering energy transition roadmap and perceived underperformance relative to rivals. Manifold, 62, brings a track record

The Attacks On Kurdish Oil Fields Is All The Negotiating Baghdad Wants To Do

The series of attacks against oil fields in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) last week underlines OilPrice.coms long-stated view that the dispute between this Region and the Federal Government of Iraq (FGI) is not really to do with oil at all it is all about sovereignty. The FGI in Baghdad does not want the KRI in Erbil to have any independence from it, and the KRI wants to have more. The FGIs stance aligns perfectly with that of its key sponsors China and Russia. This was relayed to OilPrice.com some time

Var Energi Makes Gas Discovery Near Norwegian Sea Oilfield

Var Energi has made a commercial gas and condensate discovery near its Fenja oilfield in the Norwegian Sea and could develop it as a tie-in to the producing field, the Norwegian oil company said on Monday. Var Energi, which holds 75% and is the operator of the exploration license, has made the gas and condensate discovery in the Vidsyn exploration well, confirming discovered recoverable resources in the range of 25 to 40 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe). The discovery is only 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the existing Fenja subsea

Iran Agrees to New Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions

Iran is set to meet with officials from Britain, France, and Germany -- the so-called European three (E3) -- on July 25 in Istanbul to discuss the countrys nuclear program as Western nations turn up the pressure on Tehran to reach a settlement or face new sanctions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei late on July 20 said the talks would be held at the level of deputy foreign ministers. "In response to the request of European countries, Iran has agreed to hold a new round of talks," Baghaei told state TV. Earlier, Iranian Foreign

Global Natural Gas Production Dropped in May

The worlds natural gas production fell in May compared to April, driven by lower output in Russia, the United States, and Norway, according to the latest data by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI). The Monthly Oil & Gas Data Review of the latest JODI oil and gas databases updates showed on Monday that natural gas production in the 58 countries that have updated their most recent self-reported figures for May declined by 4.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) in May compared to April. The monthly drop was driven

The Dangerous Myth That Stocks Only Go Up

I remember years ago eating lunch with my father and his financial advisor. I stated what I thought was an indisputable fact. I said history suggests that stock markets can not only go down but stay down for many, many years. I cited the 1966 top in U.S. stocks and the secular bear market that ensued and lasted until 1982. He asked me if I was recommending that investors bet against America. I said I wouldn't put it that way. I explained that the world was moving toward an era of energy scarcity, and that since energy is the key factor in economic

Saudi Arabias Crude Oil Exports Hit 3-Month High in May

Saudi Arabias crude oil exports rose to a three-month high in May, the latest data by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed on Monday, as the Kingdom leads the OPEC+ production increases this summer. Saudi Arabia, the worlds top crude oil exporter, saw its shipments rise by 25,000 barrels per day (bpd) from April to 6.19 million in May, according to the JODI data which compiles self-reported figures from the individual countries. The export levels in May reached the highest since February this year, when the

Indian Refiner Nayara Adjusts Payment Terms Due To EU Sanctions

Indian refiner Nayara Energy has changed the payment terms to sell a spot naphtha cargo after the EUs latest sanctions package hit the company in which Russias oil giant Rosneft holds 49%, a tender document seen by Reuters showed on Monday. Following Fridays sanctions, a Nayara tender to sell a spot naphtha cargo Nayara is seeking advance payment or a letter of credit from the potential buyer for loading of the cargo in the middle of August, according to the document Reuters has seen. Last Friday,

Water bill rises needed after years of low investment, says report

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Ryanair considering bigger bonus to end 'scourge' of oversized bags

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Future pensioners to be worse off, government warns

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LIC ups stake in SBI to 9.49% via QIP route, buys over 6.1 crore shares

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SBI raises Rs 25,000 cr via share sale through QIP

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Milky Mist Dairy files for Rs 2,035 crore IPO, targets expansion

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