The US stock market closed August with broad declines, with the Nasdaq Composite falling 1.15% and the S&P 500 dropping 0.64%. Despite this, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones have risen for four consecutive months, while the Nasdaq has climbed for five months in a row. Apple’s stock rose 11.96% in August, while Oracle saw a 10.89% decline. The top ten US companies by market capitalization include Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Broadcom, TSMC, and Berkshire Hathaway.
The US stock market concluded August with broad declines, with the Nasdaq Composite falling by 1.15% and the S&P 500 dropping 0.64%. Despite this, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) have risen for four consecutive months, while the Nasdaq has climbed for five straight months. Apple’s stock rose by 11.96% in August, while Oracle experienced a 10.89% decline. The top ten US companies by market capitalization include Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Broadcom, TSMC, and Berkshire Hathaway.
The month began with US stocks hitting record highs, driven by positive economic data and expectations of a Fed rate cut. However, the market retreated after the release of consumer inflation data, which showed prices rising above the Fed’s target. The “core” Personal Consumption Expenditures index (PCE) rose 0.3% on a monthly basis and 2.9% on an annual basis, matching economist expectations but marking the largest annual increase since February. This data fueled expectations that the Federal Reserve would ease rates at its September meeting.
Big Tech stocks, particularly Nvidia (NVDA), led the retreat, with Nvidia declining over 3% after releasing its earnings report. The company’s quarterly report fell short of investor expectations, but spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure remained strong. Meanwhile, other tech giants like Dell and Alibaba also experienced losses, with Dell tumbling due to high manufacturing costs for AI-optimized servers and intensifying competition.
Apple’s stock performance stood out, rising by 11.96% in August. This was largely driven by the company’s announcement of a $100 billion investment in US manufacturing, which helped mitigate headwinds from potential tariffs on iPhones. Additionally, Apple’s upcoming iPhone launch event on September 9 is expected to boost investor confidence, with analysts forecasting an increase in iPhone revenues.
Despite the August pullback, the major indexes are set for their longest consecutive monthly gains in over a year. The Nasdaq is on track for a 2% bump in August, marking its fifth straight monthly rise. The S&P 500 and the Dow are also set for their fourth consecutive monthly gains, on track to add 1.6% and 2%, respectively. The Russell 2000, which includes small-cap companies, eyed a 6% jump for August, on course for its fourth monthly uptick, the longest streak in over four years.
Markets will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. The coming week promises to bring new developments, including Apple’s iPhone event and the Fed’s September meeting, which will likely shape market sentiment and direction.
References:
1. [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-slide-as-nvidia-leads-tech-losses-after-pce-inflation-consumer-data-133800572.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-slide-as-nvidia-leads-tech-losses-after-pce-inflation-consumer-data-133800572.html)
2. [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/us-stock-market-sp-500-falls-from-all-time-highs-dow-jones-nasdaq-down-as-nvidia-dell-ai-related-stocks-suffer-big-losses/articleshow/123592497.cms?from=mdr](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/us-stock-market-sp-500-falls-from-all-time-highs-dow-jones-nasdaq-down-as-nvidia-dell-ai-related-stocks-suffer-big-losses/articleshow/123592497.cms?from=mdr)
3. [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/27/cramer-says-apple-still-has-a-lot-up-its-sleeve-even-after-its-august-stock-run.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/27/cramer-says-apple-still-has-a-lot-up-its-sleeve-even-after-its-august-stock-run.html)
