S&P 500 Experiences Mixed Movements: Dell and Ulta See Declines While Autodesk Surges
Published August 29, 2025, 5:01 PM EDT
By Michael Bromberg, Finance Editor
The S&P 500 closed lower on Friday, August 29, 2025, retreating from recent record highs amid rising concerns about inflation and mixed corporate earnings reports. The index fell by 0.6%, influenced by a combination of disappointing guidance from major players and fresh economic data that gave investors pause just ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
Inflation Data Sparks Unease Among Investors
Friday’s decline came in the wake of the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, a key inflation gauge closely monitored by the Federal Reserve. The report revealed a month-over-month increase in core PCE inflation for July, fueling concerns that inflation pressures may be stronger than anticipated. This economic backdrop contributed to investors pulling back from recent highs, as market participants reassessed potential monetary policy implications.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2% while the Nasdaq Composite took a steeper hit, dropping 1.2%, weighed down largely by technology sector underperformance.
Dell Technologies Shares Plummet Despite Beating Q2 Estimates
Leading the losses in the S&P 500 was Dell Technologies (DELL), which saw its shares fall a sharp 8.9%. The company reported second-quarter sales and profits above analysts’ expectations, buoyed by strong demand related to artificial intelligence technology. However, Dell’s lowered guidance for third-quarter earnings per share fell short of market forecasts, leading to investor jitters and a notable selloff in its stock.
Ulta Beauty’s Stock Declines Amid Uncertainty Despite Strong Results
Similarly, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) shares dropped 7.1%, erasing solid gains from the previous trading session. The cosmetics retailer reported better-than-expected sales and profits for the second quarter and raised its full-year revenue outlook. Yet, lingering uncertainty regarding the impact of potential tariffs on its business cast a shadow, prompting caution among investors.
Autodesk Stock Rockets on AI-Driven Demand
Contrasting the broader tech sector’s struggles, Autodesk (ADSK) stock advanced impressively, soaring 9.1% to become the top performer in the S&P 500. The engineering and design software company exceeded second-quarter sales and adjusted profit estimates. Autodesk also raised its full-year forecasts, supported by robust demand for design software used in AI data centers, underlining the ongoing enthusiasm for AI-related technologies within the market.
Other Notable Movers
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Cooper Companies (COO), a medical device maker focusing on vision care and surgical products, climbed 4.4%, recovering some losses sustained earlier in the week after it missed revenue estimates and lowered full-year sales guidance.
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J.M. Smucker (SJM) rebounded 3.6% on Friday after a weak post-earnings reaction earlier in the week. The consumer foods company reported a fiscal first-quarter loss and noted tariffs were negatively impacting its coffee business. The company also indicated plans for further price increases to manage tariff-related cost pressures.
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Despite initial enthusiasm following strong earnings from AI semiconductor leader Nvidia, AI-related stocks did not maintain momentum. Shares of Oracle (ORCL) slid 5.9%, and Super Micro Computer (SMCI) declined 5.5%, as the rally lost steam amid broader market concerns.
Looking Ahead
As investors digest a mix of economic data and corporate earnings reports, volatility is likely to persist heading into early September. The PCE report’s implications for Federal Reserve policy loom large, making the upcoming weeks critical for market direction.
For continued market updates and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to Smart Money Mindset.
Michael Bromberg is a seasoned finance editor with extensive experience in breaking down complex financial topics into clear, accessible language. He holds a BA in Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s in linguistics from Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia.