Stock Market Update Tuesday February 18, 2025

Stock Market Update Tuesday February 18, 2025 The S&P 500 index remained stable for most of the session before experiencing a late surge, resulting in new closing highs and a 4.4% gain for the year so far. The Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) increased by 0.25%, while small-cap stocks (IWM) performed even better with a 0.45% rise, indicating broader participation in the market.

In the bond market, Treasuries saw some selling, causing the yield on two-year notes to rise to 4.29% from 4.26%. The 30-year yield also increased by eight basis points to reach 4.77%, reflecting changes in interest rate expectations. Meanwhile, WTI crude oil prices moved closer to $72 per barrel, and gold prices strengthened to $2,936 per ounce, showing a strong demand for tangible assets. Bitcoin remained slightly below $95,000, and the VIX index stayed above 15, signaling ongoing caution among investors.