Top U.S. Stocks to Watch: August 18–24, 2025
Market Snapshot
The S&P 500, the leading U.S. stock index, closed at 6,449.80 on August 15. That’s just shy of its highest closing level ever, set the day before.
Stock prices are expensive compared to history, even higher than during the dot-com bubble in 2000.
Company profits slipped slightly in the last quarter, showing some early signs of pressure.
Investors are focused on company earnings and upcoming Federal Reserve comments that could hint at interest rate changes.
Sectors to Keep an Eye On
Tech: Nvidia and Microsoft continue to lead thanks to demand for AI and cloud services.
Social Media & Online Ads: Meta is gaining from stronger ad spending and new tech projects.
Retail: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s will report results, giving a view of consumer spending.
Cybersecurity: Companies like Palo Alto Networks are in the spotlight as digital threats rise.
Industrials & Energy: Firms tied to construction, defense, and utilities are gaining interest as investors look for value outside tech.
What’s Happening This Week
Monday, Aug 18: Palo Alto Networks reports earnings after markets close.
Tuesday, Aug 19: Home Depot posts results before the market opens.
Wednesday, Aug 20: Target and Lowe’s are set to report earnings.
Aug 21–23: The Jackson Hole conference takes place in Wyoming. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak, and his comments may hint at future interest rate moves.
Earnings Calendar - Week of August 18 2025
Stocks to Watch
Company | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Palo Alto $PANW ( ▲ 2.54% ) | Earnings Monday; shows cybersecurity spending trends |
Home Depot $HD ( ▲ 0.21% ) | Earnings Tuesday; a good read on housing and consumer spending |
Walmart $WMT ( ▲ 0.19% ) | Q2 preview; strong e-commerce performance and Sam’s Club growth |
Target $TGT ( ▲ 2.72% ) | Midweek earnings; shows shifts in consumer shopping habits |
Lowe’s $LOW ( ▲ 0.65% ) | Midweek earnings; home improvement spending trends |
Nvidia $NVDA ( ▼ 2.21% ) | No results this week, but remains the key AI and chip leader |
Microsoft $MSFT ( ▼ 0.13% ) | Still riding AI and cloud growth |
Meta $META ( ▼ 1.55% ) | Advertising rebound and new tech projects keep attention high |
Amazon $AMZN ( ▼ 0.41% ) | E-commerce and cloud business make it a key player |
Intuit $INTU ( ▲ 0.36% ) | Earnings midweek; small business and finance software health check |
Howmet $HWM ( ▲ 2.21% ) | Strong in defense and industrial demand |
Energy/Utilities | Could attract interest if investors rotate away from expensive tech stocks |
Key Takeaways
Retail earnings (Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s) will show how healthy consumer spending is.
Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole could influence market expectations for interest rates.
Expensive stock prices raise questions about whether money will shift from tech into cheaper sectors like energy and industrials.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research or speak to a qualified professional before investing.
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