Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq close lower, Nvidia stock jumps after earnings

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq close lower, Nvidia stock jumps after earnings Grace O'Donnell · Editor, Special Projects Updated Thu, August 27, 2026 at 4:32 AM GMT+2 1 min read NVDA ^DJI ^GSPC ^IXIC META US stocks traded mixed on Wednesday after PCE data showed inflation remained sticky in the lead-up to the Fed's Jackson Hole gathering and as investors counted down to Nvidia's ( NVDA ) earnings report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI ) declined by 0. 2%, while the S&P 500 ( ^GSPC ) and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ) slipped below the flat line after posting broad gains on Tuesday.

Meta stock ( META ) rose after the company agreed to settle a social media addiction trial for roughly $16. 7 billion. The case revolved around allegations from 29 states that Meta developed products to hook young users, misled consumers about their safety, and improperly collected personal data.

After the closing bell, Nvidia reported its quarterly results and offered a strong third quarter outlook, buoying the artificial intelligence trade. The AI bellwether also defended its public and private investments, with CEO Jensen Huang saying on the earnings call, “the only regret that I have is that I didn't invest more and sooner. ” Markets assessed a new reading of inflation, meanwhile, from the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge.

The core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, which excludes the volatile food and energy categories, rose 3. 3% in July , which was in line with expectations and unchanged from the month before. That update on mild inflation comes amid angst in the bond market and ahead of the Jackson Hole annual gathering of Fed policymakers this week, where Chairman Kevin Warsh will deliver a speech on the central bank's future plans.

Abercrombie & Fitch ( ANF ) also reported earnings on Wednesday morning, posting a guidance raise that lifted the stock 35%. After the closing bell, Salesforce ( CRM ) stock surged 13% following better-than-expected guidance. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 15 updates Wed, August 26, 2026 at 8:05 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Stocks edge lower as investors brace for Nvidia earnings US stocks were little changed in the countdown to Nvidia’s ( NVDA ) earnings report after the bell, a bellwether for the artificial intelligence trade.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI ) declined by 0. 2%, while the S&P 500 ( ^GSPC ) and Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ) fell fractionally. Chip stocks were mixed on Wednesday.

Nvidia shares fell 1. 6%. In other earnings movers, Abercrombie & Fitch stock soared 35% after posting an earnings beat and guidance raise.

Here’s a look at the day’s sector action, according to an AlphaSpace heatmap: Wed, August 26, 2026 at 7:38 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Meta's settlement is a challenge to TikTok and YouTube The cost of doing business as a global social media company just got a little higher , Yahoo Finance’s Hamza Shaban writes. He explains that Meta’s ( META ) social media addiction settlement includes explicit provisions encouraging other social media companies to adopt the limits Meta has agreed to. Hamza writes: Participating states, for instance, will receive about 70% of the allocated payment over a decade.

But the remaining 30% will be released only after two specific conditions are met. The first is that YouTube and TikTok implement a 1-hour daily limit, a restricted night mode, and age-verification measures. And the second is that each of the companies pays about $5.

3 billion to fund youth online safety initiatives. If YouTube and TikTok pay up, so will Meta. Several safety measures will also be strengthened should YouTube and TikTok sign on.

The incentive structure works like this: Meta pays into a pot that its rivals must also contribute to. And while its engagement figures for young people will likely fall, it won't be at a relative disadvantage if those measures are adopted by its largest rivals. For YouTube and TikTok, entering into the agreement would bolster their defenses in future legal battles.

That could potentially shield them from other lawsuits and penalties related to teen social media addiction. And conversely, if they refuse to agree, they expose themselves to accusations that they aren't following sensible safety practices. Signing on to the pact would also collectively restrict companies from deploying the controversial practices that got Meta in trouble in the first place.

Read more. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 5:31 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Revolution Medicines' newly approved cancer drug 'will be one of the most rapid drug launches ever': Analysts The FDA approved a pancreatic cancer therapy from Revolution Medicines ( RVMD ), marking a major breakthrough for treating one of the most difficult cancers to cure. Revolution Medicines’ stock gained less than 1% on Wednesday and is up 167% year to date, with a big pop in April following positive signs of efficacy in its late-stage trial for Rasonque.

“This will be one of the most rapid drug launches ever,” a team of TD Cowen analysts wrote in a note. The analysts noted that Rasonque received the FDA green light six and a half months ahead of schedule due to its efficacy, which has altered medical practice. Earlier this month, the team wrote, Revolution disclosed that over 2,000 patients were already taking the drug under the FDA’s expanded access program, which allows patients with life-threatening conditions to try experimental therapies when no other alternative is available.

“Using a very conservative $20K/month price, the >2K EAP patients alone equate to $500MM of annual sales, which should continue to grow rapidly well beyond that number,” the TD Cowen analysts wrote. “Management indicated that transitioning EAP to commercial is a key priority, though it will take a few months to convert every patient. Thus, we expect a significant bolus translating to significant first and second quarter 2027 sales.

” “Given the hockey-stick-like expected revenue ramp, the early approval and robust EAP use meaningfully pull forward timing to profitability,” they added. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 4:39 PM UTC Jake Conley FAA orders inspections of some Boeing Dreamliner jets Boeing ( BA ) shares were largely unchanged after news that the FAA is requiring engineering inspections of some of the company's flagship Dreamliner jets. Shares initially fell about 1% but quickly bounced back to previous levels, settling at a loss of about 0.

3% as investors evaluated the FAA's airworthiness directive. An investigation by Boeing itself through the summer "concluded that shim gaps may have exceeded engineering allowances, and high pull up forces on the components may cause fatigue cracks to form at the fastener holes," per the FAA, which led the FAA to require inspections. The gaps "can grow to weaken primary wing structure until it cannot sustain limit load and result in subsequent loss of continued safe flight and landing," the FAA wrote.

Wed, August 26, 2026 at 4:11 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Social media stocks fall in response to Meta settlement Snap ( SNAP ), Roblox ( RBLX ), and other social media stocks are falling in reaction to the Meta ( META ) landmark social media addiction trial settlement, with Snap stock plunging over 8%. Meta stock, meanwhile, gained over 1% as traders weighed what the settlement implies for the company's social media empire. An AlphaSpace heatmap of social media stocks "These companies are just too big to be meaningfully affected by these kinds of settlements," Bloomberg Intelligence Head of Technology Research Mandeep Singh said about Meta's penalties in the case, which could reach $16.

68 billion. Though the story is different for companies like Snapchat and Roblox, which cater to younger users, Singh said. Pennsylvania's AG is also suing Snapchat over alleged harms to children.

"From that perspective, the fact that everyone is focused on this demographic — users under 16 — and how these social media platforms are impacting their behavior, I think that's a negative in terms of engagement," Singh noted. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 3:22 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Abercrombie & Fitch stock soars 36% as retailer sees 'momentum' in back-to-school shopping Abercrombie & Fitch ( ANF ) stock soared 36% after the company reported robust second quarter results and significantly raised its financial outlook for the remainder of the year. The apparel retailer said it didn’t lower prices as much as it expected in the second quarter — notable as other retailers have called out a highly promotional environment — and said its products are resonating with shoppers, driving the outperformance in Q2.

“We've got momentum headed into and through back to school, and that's carrying us into August and Q3,” Abercrombie CFO Robert Ball said on the company’s earnings call. “So we're excited to be positioned to drive another quarter here, 5%-6% growth on the top line and double-digit operating margins. ” In Q2, Abercrombie reported net income per share of $4.

17, inclusive of a $1. 75 benefit from tariff refunds. That surpassed Wall Street analyst expectations for earnings of $1.

97, per S&P Global Market Intelligence. Revenue of $1. 27 billion also beat estimates of $1.

25 billion. Abercrombie shared a more upbeat outlook for the remainder of the year. For the full year, Abercrombie now expects net sales growth of around 5%, up from a previous range of 3% to 5%.

Net income per share is expected to come in at $13. 10-$13. 60, above the previous range of $10.

20-$11. 00. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 3:07 PM UTC Jake Conley Oil prices drop as Iran and Oman announce agreement to share Hormuz revenues Oil prices ticked down on Wednesday after news that Iran and Oman, both of which border the critical Strait of Hormuz, have agreed to share revenues derived from the waterway's operations.

Futures on Brent crude ( BZ=F ), the international benchmark, fell by 0. 6%, while those on the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate ( CL=F ) ticked down by roughly 0. 8% on the news.

"Agreements have been reached regarding each country's share of the strait's waters as well as Iran and Oman's share of its revenues," the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said on Wednesday, per state-run Sepah News agency. The news comes after a previous announcement on Wednesday that Tehran and Muscat were engaging in talks on an "interim framework" to resume some shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, to include de-mining efforts. That said, Iranian leaders have repeatedly asserted that such an agreement — the details of which remain scant — would not equate to a full reopening of the waterway, which Iran says can't happen until the US ends its naval blockade.

Wed, August 26, 2026 at 2:12 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Meta stock wavers after company settles social media addiction trial Meta ( META ) reached a settlement in a social media addiction trial on Wednesday, ending a landmark case centering on claims that the company developed products to addict children to its platforms. The stock initially surged on the announcement but then pared gains in early trading. The trial posed risks to Meta’s business, no matter the outcome of the case.

The social media company agreed to pay $16. 7 billion in penalties and to make changes to its platforms, such as establishing daily limits and nighttime use blocks for teenagers, enhancing age-verification measures to prevent children from accessing the platform, and creating additional tools to help parents and guardians protect their children. Meta denied any wrongdoing in the case, which was brought by 29 states.

Read more. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 1:39 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell Stocks turn lower at the open following PCE inflation data Stocks dipped into the red at the open on Wednesday as PCE inflation data was in line with expectations and investors awaited Nvidia ( NVDA ) earnings after the bell for the latest update on the AI ecosystem. Meta stock ( META ) rose 0.

6% after the company agreed to settle with 29 states over social media addiction claims, ending a trial that just entered its second week. Here’s a look at the sector action, according to an AlphaSpace heatmap: Wed, August 26, 2026 at 12:34 PM UTC Jake Conley PCE shows prices edge just slightly edge up above expectations The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed prices heated up slightly faster than expected in July, as all eyes turn to Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's first Jackson Hole speech on Friday. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index rose 3.

7% year over year in July, just above expectations of 3. 6%, and in line with June's yearly gain. Month over month, prices rose 0.

2%, just above expectations of 0. 1% growth and a turnaround from June's 0. 1% slowdown.

Excluding volatile energy and food prices, the way the Fed prefers to assess the inflation gauge, "core" PCE rose 3. 3% year-on-year, in line with expectations, and the increase seen in June. Month over month, core inflation rose 0.

2%, in line with estimates. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 12:05 PM UTC Grace O'Donnell 4 reasons Nvidia stock is lagging Nvidia's ( NVDA ) stock isn't having its typical year, Yahoo Finance’s Brian Sozzi writes. He notes: No epic gains on earning reports.

Nvidia stock has fallen in response to earnings in six of the past eight quarters, including the last four, per Yahoo Finance AlphaSpace analysis. No major outperformance versus the S&P 500. Nvidia's stock is up 14% year to date, while the S&P 500 is up 12%.

Raymond James analyst Simon Leopold lists four reasons the chip king stock's is stuck in neutral in a new note: Read more. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC Jared Blikre Nvidia earnings could reveal its fastest-growing business isn't chips Wall Street is focused on Nvidia's ( NVDA ) graphics processing units (GPUs). The faster-growing story is sitting beside them.

Nvidia has quietly built a networking operation that generated nearly $15 billion last quarter, up from roughly $3 billion per quarter two years ago. Wall Street expects that figure to approach $17 billion when the company reports earnings on Wednesday. Compute still dominates Data Center revenue, but networking has risen from roughly $3 billion a quarter to nearly $17 billion in about two years — and is now growing faster.

· Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance Compute still dwarfs networking inside Nvidia's Data Center business. But networking has been growing faster, up nearly 200% year over year in the last quarter compared with 77% for compute. That pace is slowing.

Analysts expect networking growth of roughly 134% in the quarter about to be reported, still ahead of compute at about 100%. Read more. Wed, August 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC Jake Conley AI's next big bottleneck isn't infrastructure.

It's regulatory red tape. As Big Tech has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence development, myriad bottlenecks have given investors reason to worry, from multiyear delays in natural gas turbine deliveries to capital availability and energy access constraints. However, with midterm elections just two months away, the biggest bottleneck is elsewhere, according to Melius Research — in regulation.

"The binding constraint on growth has shifted," James West, managing director at Melius Research, wrote to clients on Monday. "It is no longer turbines, capital, or customer intent: rolling into midterms, it is permission. " West's argument underscores the growing role of politics in the US's AI infrastructure build-out.

As resistance to data center development has grown in communities across the country, state governments have increasingly clamped down, pursuing legislation that slows construction. Read more. Texas Gov.

Greg Abbott and Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai lead a panel at the Google Midlothian Data Center on Nov. 14, 2025, in Midlothian, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) · Ron Jenkins via Getty Images Wed, August 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM UTC Grace O'Donnell Good morning.

Here's what's happening today. Economic data: PCE price index, month-on-month, July (-0. 1% previously); PCE price index, year-on-year, July (+3.

7% previously); Core PCE price index, month-on-month, July (+0. 1% previously); Core PCE price index, year-on-year, July (+3. 3% previously); Personal income, July (+0.

2% previously); Personal spending, July (+0. 3% previously); Real personal spending, July (+0. 4% previously); Durable goods orders, July preliminary reading (+0.

5% previously); GDP annualized, quarter-on-quarter, second quarter (+1. 5% previously); Personal consumption, second quarter (+3. 2% previously); GDP price index, second quarter (+6.

2% previously); Core PCE price index, quarter-on-quarter, second quarter (+3. 4% previously) Earnings calendar: Nvidia ( NVDA ), CrowdStrike ( CRWD ), Synopsys ( SNPS ), Agilent Technologies ( A ), Veeva Systems ( VEEV ), Williams-Sonoma ( WSM ), Okta ( OKTA ), Nutanix ( NTNX ), Five Below ( FIVE ), Urban Outfitters ( URBN ), Abercrombie & Fitch ( ANF ), Bath & Body Works ( BBWI ) Catch up on some top stories from overnight: Dolly Parton, singer-songwriter, dies at 80 This is how much one study says tariffs will cost US households Gold holds five-day gain as oil drop eases inflation concerns AI will deflate value of IT work by up to 25%, Hexaware CEO says Meta, states have discussed settling teen social media case US weighs more trade measures against Canada after retaliation Wed, August 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM UTC Grace O'Donnell Asian stocks hesitant before Nvidia, oil slips on Hormuz hopes Reuters reports: Asian stocks stuttered on Wednesday as a drop in oil prices dragged bond yields lower on hopes that the critical Strait of Hormuz could reopen, while investors braced for yet another make-or-break earnings report from AI bellwether ‌Nvidia. Iran said it had restarted talks with Oman to manage the Strait, as it faces heightened economic pressure from U.

S. President Donald ‌Trump in the nearly six-month conflict that has roiled oil markets and stoked global inflationary worries. Brent crude futures fell for a third straight day on Wednesday, sliding more than 2% ​to $86.

41 per barrel on the prospect of more supply coming through the strait, which handled a fifth of the world's traded oil before the war. "While there was no real progress or details of the Iran-Oman deal, as Iran reiterated that Hormuz will remain shut until conditions are met, price action suggested that markets are quickly pricing in optimism ‌around an interim announcement," analysts at J. P.

Morgan said ⁠in a note. Read more.