U.S. Stock Market Mixed in 2025 After February Private Sector Jobs Report – Key Insights & Stock Movements
Explore how the February 2025 ADP private sector jobs report impacted U.S. equities, highlighting key stock performances and market trends amid economic growth concerns.
Bill McColl brings over 25 years of expertise as a senior producer and writer across TV, radio, and digital platforms, leading news teams through pivotal economic and financial stories.
Market Highlights
- The U.S. stock market showed a mixed reaction after ADP’s February 2024 report revealed fewer private sector job additions than anticipated, signaling a potential economic slowdown.
- Technology stocks faced notable declines, with Amazon (AMZN) dropping 2%, while Apple (AAPL), Meta Platforms (META), and Microsoft (MSFT) each decreased by around 1%. Tesla (TSLA) shares fell sharply by 3%.
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) led Dow Jones gains after announcing an $8.9 billion settlement resolving thousands of lawsuits alleging cancer risks from its talc products.
The ADP report heightened investor caution over economic growth prospects, causing uneven performance across sectors. Solar energy stocks also retreated amid broader tech weakness.
Regional banks experienced losses, with PacWest Bancorp (PACW) down 4% and First Republic Bank (FRC) declining 2%. MarketAxess Holdings (MKTX) contributed to S&P 500’s downturn following a drop in first-quarter trading volumes. Meanwhile, Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) shares slipped after entering a vendor consignment deal aimed at inventory improvement.
Concerns over a possible economic deceleration pressured industrial equipment stocks like Caterpillar (CAT), Deere & Company (DE), and United Rentals (URI), extending a recent selloff. This environment boosted demand for defensive, safe-haven stocks including Procter & Gamble (PG), Coca-Cola (KO), and Walmart (WMT). Utility sector names such as Xcel Energy (XEL), American Electric Power Company (AEP), and WEC Energy Group (WEC) also gained ground.
Johnson & Johnson’s Major Settlement Impact
Johnson & Johnson’s announcement of an $8.9 billion settlement to resolve thousands of talc-related cancer claims propelled its stock to the top of the Dow Jones. In parallel, Raymond James upgraded UnitedHealth Group (UNH) and Cigna (CI), lifting health insurance stocks broadly.
On the commodities front, oil futures declined slightly while gold prices remained steady. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield eased, and the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro and pound but weakened versus the yen. Most leading cryptocurrencies traded positively, reflecting cautious optimism among investors.
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