Markets edge down as Walmart weighs on index

Stocks slip as Walmart misses earnings and expectations for rate relief fade.

Walmart drives Wall Street to fifth straight loss

The S&P 500 fell 0.4 percent, the Dow slipped 0.3 percent and the Nasdaq declined 0.3 percent on Thursday as Walmart dropped 4.5 percent after a spring profit miss. Nvidia and other large tech names held steadier after a period of sharp swings, while Treasuries pushed yields higher on a data reading that tempered hopes for immediate monetary help. A separate S&P Global report showed a pickup in U.S. business activity but also highlighted faster price gains driven by tariffs, a sign that inflation pressures may persist.

The market is navigating a patchwork of signals: solid company results in some sectors and stubborn inflation risks tied to tariffs. Walmart’s slide underscores how a single retailer can drag sentiment when profits miss estimates, even as broader tech momentum offers some counterbalance. Investors are watching policy expectations closely, with rate cut bets still alive even as data complicates the ideal timing. The Jackson Hole gathering looms as a potential catalyst, but the path for policy remains uncertain amid inflation concerns and tariff headwinds.

Highlights

Markets evolve, and the next move could hinge on policy signals more than earnings noise.