CNBC Business News Update Market Open: Stocks Lower, Jobless Claims Rise, Walmart Earnings Disappoint But It Increased Its Full Year Outlook 8/21/25
Aug 21, 2025
Wall Street is feeling the pressure as stocks dip and jobless claims rise. Walmart's disappointing earnings are in the spotlight, yet the retailer has adjusted its full-year outlook upwards. The podcast dives deep into the impact of Federal interest rate talks on the market and scrutinizes recent corporate performances. Additionally, there's buzz around the launch of ESPN's new streaming service, signaling changes in the media landscape. It's a whirlwind of insights that can help you navigate your financial decisions.
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Markets Await Powell For Rate Clarity
- Markets are cautious ahead of Fed Chair Jay Powell's Jackson Hole speech and are pricing uncertainty into stocks.
- The S&P 500 hit a four-day losing streak as investors weigh the likelihood and timing of rate cuts.
Walmart Slump Pushes Indices Lower
- Early trading showed broad weakness with the Dow and S&P both down and Nvidia bucking the trend.
- Walmart led declines, dragging the Dow lower by around six tenths of a percent at the open.
Jobless Claims Point To Cooling Labor Market
- Weekly initial jobless claims rose to 235,000, the highest since late June, signaling cooling labor-market momentum.
- Continuing claims climbed toward 2 million, implying more workers are staying on benefits longer and job finding may be slowing.