LIVE: Dow Surges, Nasdaq Hits New High as Tax Bill Pushes Forward & Tariff Threats Cool
Markets are rallying fast — Dow, S&P, Nasdaq in the green as tax cuts gain traction and trade tensions ease. Follow live update as it happens.
U.S. stock markets saw early gains on Monday, as easing trade pressures and progress on a major tax package helped lift investor sentiment. The session marked a positive start to a shortened trading week ahead of the Independence Day holiday.
By the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had advanced by around 0.5%, while the S&P 500 rose roughly 0.3%. The Nasdaq Composite, driven by strong tech performance, added approximately 0.4%.
Investor confidence was boosted by developments suggesting smoother relations with key trading allies. A planned digital tax targeting American technology firms was shelved at the last minute by a U.S. trade partner, signaling a shift in tone that could open the door to further negotiations. This followed recent comments from U.S. leadership hinting that new import duties may not be necessary after all.
Also Read: Senate Shocks Clean Energy Industry with Last-Minute Bill Changes, Musk Calls It “Destructive”
Markets had already ended last week on an upbeat note, and Monday's session extended that momentum. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq touched fresh highs — their best levels since early this year — driven by easing concerns around trade disruptions and policy uncertainty.
Attention is now turning to a fast-moving tax proposal being debated in the Senate. The $4.5 trillion plan, backed by the administration, faces internal hurdles as lawmakers work to finalize support. Current projections suggest the package could significantly widen the federal deficit over the next ten years. A packed Senate schedule includes a full day of amendment reviews.
Elsewhere, investors are keeping a close eye on labor market data due later this week. Thursday’s jobs report is expected to offer insight into economic strength and may shape expectations around possible Federal Reserve interest rate moves. With markets set to close early Thursday and remain shut Friday, analysts anticipate thinner trading and potential volatility.
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Key Moments
- Dow jumps 0.5% as markets open strong for the week.
- Canada drops digital tax, reviving trade deal hopes.
- Senate begins marathon session on $4.5T tax bill.
- S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh highs after Friday rally.
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30 Jun 2025 01:32 PM
Meta Nears Record Close, Leads Big Tech on AI MomentumMeta (META) is on track to close at a record high Monday, topping $748 per share in intraday trading — its highest level since February. The stock has climbed 26% so far this year, outpacing even Nvidia’s 17% gain, putting Meta at the top of the “Magnificent Seven” leaderboard.
Fueling the rally is Meta’s deepening push into artificial intelligence. The company recently made a strategic investment in Scale AI, a leading data-labeling startup. As part of that deal, Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang is expected to join Meta’s advanced AI research group, which is focused on building toward so-called "superintelligence."
The move highlights Meta's broader strategy: combining aggressive AI investments with a long-term vision that goes well beyond social media — and investors are clearly taking notice.
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30 Jun 2025 01:29 PM
Alphabet Downgraded by BNB Paribas Over Gemini Monetization Concerns
Alphabet (GOOGL) took a hit in sentiment Monday after BNB Paribas downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral, citing weak monetization prospects for its Gemini AI platform.
In a note to clients, analyst Stefan Slowinski acknowledged Google’s technological progress — including the rollout of the Gemini 2.5 Pro model — but said the financial payoff hasn’t matched the innovation. “Monetization of Gemini remains limited for now,” Slowinski wrote, adding that Alphabet’s heavy investment in generative AI could drag on earnings per share growth in the near term.
The firm still believes Alphabet has long-term potential in AI, thanks to its end-to-end tech stack, but flagged near-term profitability risks as spending ramps up. Slowinski trimmed his 12-month price target from $213 to $172, signaling limited upside from current levels.
Alphabet shares were flat at around $178 in Monday trading. The stock is now down more than 6% so far in 2025, making it one of the laggards among the tech-heavy “Magnificent Seven.”
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30 Jun 2025 12:01 PM
Crypto’s Comeback: 2025’s Biggest Winners So Far
The crypto world has made a serious comeback in the first half of 2025. A wave of political support — including President Trump’s pro-crypto stance and his pick for a new SEC chair — has reignited momentum across the industry.
Add to that headlines around the first couple’s own digital tokens, and it’s no surprise that investor confidence has come roaring back. Bitcoin led the charge, soaring to nearly $112,000 — a fresh all-time high that put the spotlight back on digital assets.
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30 Jun 2025 11:36 AM
Nvidia Still a Favorite at Morgan Stanley Despite Supply Chain Jitters
Morgan Stanley isn’t backing down on Nvidia. The investment firm reaffirmed the chipmaker as its top stock pick in the semiconductor space, even as concerns grow about potential supply chain slowdowns.
In a new client note, analyst Joseph Moore said Nvidia's production is moving fast — maybe too fast for some parts of the supply chain to keep up, especially when it comes to building AI GPUs into full server systems. But despite some skepticism about what 2026 might look like, Moore said demand for Nvidia’s new Blackwell chips remains very strong, and recent industry checks suggest supply issues are starting to ease.
Moore added that, for now, Nvidia's near-term pipeline looks solid, especially with AI spending still booming. The chip giant recently hit a new all-time high, though shares were slightly lower in early Monday trading.
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30 Jun 2025 11:23 AM
Bitcoin Frenzy Grows on Trump Hype — Altcoins Left Behind
Bitcoin is running the show right now. Its dominance in the crypto market has climbed to 64%, the highest it's been since early 2021. Fueling the run? Buzz around Trump’s vocal support for crypto. But while BTC grabs headlines (and capital), most altcoins are barely moving — and in some cases, slipping further behind.
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30 Jun 2025 11:21 AM
Solar Stocks Struggle After Senate Surprises Industry with New Tax Proposal
Solar stocks were mixed this morning after a surprise move by the Senate rattled the clean energy sector. A new draft of the tax and spending bill includes a proposed tax on wind and solar projects completed after 2027 — but only if they use parts made in China.
That’s a big deal for the industry, which still depends heavily on Chinese components like solar panels and batteries. The American Clean Power Association warned the change could leave billions of dollars in current projects stuck in limbo.
This is the second shake-up for renewables in just a few weeks, after earlier news that lawmakers want to phase out clean energy tax breaks faster than expected.
