Microsoft Corp. $MSFT is once again approaching its peak valuation, reversing months of stagnation. The renewed momentum is tied directly to the strengthened performance of its Azure cloud division. Following a prolonged period of limited gains, Microsoft shares now sit just 1.5% below their record set in July 2024. This recovery aligns with a broader upswing in major US equity indices such as the S&P 500 $^SPX and Nasdaq 100 $^NDX, reflecting investor confidence in the technology sector.
Last week, US stock indexes found themselves firmly in the global spotlight. The S&P 500 recorded its second-largest weekly gain in 2025, now standing just about 3% below its record high set nearly three months ago. This bullish movement was driven by robust demand for shares of leading technology corporations, which once again emerged as the primary growth engine of the US stock market.
On Tuesday, U.S. stock markets displayed volatility, oscillating between gains and losses. The spotlight of the day shone on the earnings reports from major Wall Street banks, which captured the interest of investors. While the challenges posed by the ongoing global trade war remain a pressing concern, many analysts are striving to assess the current situation and its implications for the financial markets.
In recent days, financial markets have experienced significant fluctuations, prompting interest in the behavior of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin. The original digital currency appears to be showing signs of liberating itself from the influence of tech stocks, especially in light of the events unfolding in the market.
On Thursday, shares of AppLovin Corp. plummeted by 20%, marking a record decline for the company in a single day, following the publication of a short report by the well-known analytics firm Muddy Waters. This event represents yet another milestone in a series of negative developments for the application marketing services provider.
The recent drop in stock prices of technology companies has become a significant event in the financial markets. The Nasdaq 100 index, which includes the largest tech firms in the U.S., recorded a decline of 3.4% as of 10:55 AM in New York, highlighting the seriousness of the current situation.
On Friday, the U.S. stock market closed with mixed results, reflecting both bullish and bearish trends among major companies. While some stocks advanced, others weakened amid uncertainties fueled by potential trade policy shifts. Notably, technology giants and U.S. Treasury yields were in focus after President Donald Trump outlined plans for implementing reciprocal tariffs—a move that, while not immediately enacted, stirred market expectations.
U.S. stock futures stabilized, the dollar posted a slight increase, and technology stocks in Asia declined on Tuesday following a wave of sell-offs. These movements were sparked by the notable progress of a Chinese startup in artificial intelligence, which challenges the dominance of the U.S. and its substantial investments in this high-demand market sector.
