S&P 500 Surges Past 6500 Following Nvidia Earnings; Hormel Shares Take a Hit
August 28, 2025 — Michael Bromberg, Smart Money Mindset
The S&P 500 index closed above the 6500 mark for the first time on Thursday, August 28, 2025, marking another record-setting day in the stock market. This milestone was primarily driven by a strong earnings report from Nvidia, coupled with a favorable revision to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) growth figures for the second quarter.
Market Overview: Record Highs and Sector Performance
On Thursday, the S&P 500 gained 0.3%, securing a second consecutive all-time closing high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also notched a modest 0.2% increase, reaching record territory alongside the broader index. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite outperformed with a 0.5% rise, closing just shy of its own record level. Despite the positive momentum in the market, Nvidia’s shares dipped just under 1% following its earnings release.
Standout Performers: Datadog, Fair Isaac, and Agilent Technologies
Among the top gainers in the S&P 500 was Datadog, a leading provider of business monitoring software, which saw its stock surge 7%. This increase followed a broader wave of optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Datadog recently launched several AI-powered products designed to enhance database monitoring capabilities, contributing to its impressive revenue growth. The market’s enthusiasm was further fueled by strong earnings results from MongoDB, another database specialist.
Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), renowned for its consumer credit scoring solutions, advanced 6.1% despite recent scrutiny over its pricing model. The company has faced competition from VantageScore, which the Federal Housing Finance Agency has approved for mortgage credit evaluations. Analysts have turned more positive on FICO’s stock, citing robust pricing power in credit analytics.
Agilent Technologies also impressed investors by exceeding sales and profit estimates for its fiscal third quarter. Shares of the health sciences firm climbed 5.3% after it issued optimistic sales guidance for the ongoing quarter, highlighting robust demand in pharmaceuticals as well as chemicals and advanced materials sectors.
Hormel Foods Faces Headwinds: Shares Plunge 13%
In stark contrast to the rising tide, Hormel Foods—the well-known producer of deli meats and canned products like Spam—experienced the steepest decline among S&P 500 constituents. Its shares plunged 13% after the company reported mixed quarterly results. While Hormel surpassed revenue expectations, it fell short on adjusted profit margins. The shortfall was largely attributed to rising commodity input costs, a trend the company anticipates continuing into the next quarter. To counteract the inflationary pressures, Hormel announced plans for pricing adjustments.
Additional Notable Moves
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Cooper Companies: The medical device maker’s shares dropped nearly 13% following a downward revision of its fiscal 2025 revenue outlook and weaker-than-expected third-quarter sales. Although adjusted profits slightly exceeded forecasts, Citi downgraded Cooper’s stock to “neutral” from “buy” due to concerns about softening demand for contact lenses.
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Brown-Forman: The alcoholic beverage giant, parent to brands such as Jack Daniel’s, saw its stock fall 4.9%. The company reported earnings per share below expectations for its fiscal first quarter and noted a decline in sales compared to last year. Brown-Forman cited consumer uncertainty amid a volatile geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, and challenges in international markets where U.S.-made spirits are unavailable.
Market Outlook
Investors are digesting a mix of positive corporate earnings, especially in sectors leveraging artificial intelligence, alongside cautionary signals from companies grappling with inflationary costs and shifting consumer behavior. With the S&P 500 achieving unprecedented levels, market watchers will closely monitor upcoming economic indicators and company reports for clues about the sustainability of this rally.
For continued coverage on market developments, earnings updates, and investing strategies, stay tuned to Smart Money Mindset.