Stock Market Update Tuesday May 20, 2025

Stock Market Update Tuesday May 20, 2025 The S&P 500 traded in a subdued, low-volatility session characterized by a tight range. The SPX posted its first decline in seven sessions, shedding 0.4%, though late-session buying mitigated deeper losses. The Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) mirrored the SPX with a 0.4% drop, while the Russell 2000 (IWM) edged up 0.1%, showing resilience among small-cap equities.

Away From Stocks: In fixed-income markets, long-dated Treasurys faced renewed selling pressure after Monday’s recovery. The 30-year Treasury yield rose four basis points to 4.96%, signaling persistent caution among bond investors. In commodities, WTI crude oil remained rangebound at $62 per barrel, reflecting indecision in energy markets. Gold surged nearly 2% to $3,291 per ounce, underscoring its appeal as a safe-haven asset. Bitcoin rallied past $106,000, continuing its bullish momentum, while the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) held steady at 18, indicating muted market anxiety.