Dow Jones Today 2025: Index Drops 190 Points Amid Disappointing Jobs Data and Rate Hike Concerns

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped approximately 190 points, or 0.6%, as investors reacted to a softer jobs report and persistent concerns about rising interest rates.

Highlights

• Pharmaceutical giants Amgen and Merck led the Dow's decline following FDA approval of a new Alzheimer's treatment by Biogen and Eisai.
• Industrial leaders Caterpillar, 3M, and Dow Chemical boosted the Dow's performance.
• Chevron shares climbed due to a larger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude oil inventories.

In late trading on a holiday-shortened week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell 0.6%, closing down about 190 points. Investors digested a July jobs report indicating a slowdown in hiring, which raised concerns about the Federal Reserve's plans to raise interest rates on July 26.

The Labor Department reported the economy added 209,000 jobs, falling short of expectations. However, robust wage growth signaled a still-healthy labor market, likely sustaining inflationary pressures and increasing the chances of a rate hike.

For the first week of July, the Dow ended down roughly 1.6%, reversing gains from the first half of the year. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq rose 0.3% on the day but declined 0.6% for the week, and the S&P 500 finished 0.6% lower after a flat session.

U.S. crude oil inventories decreased more than forecasted, pushing oil futures up 2.8% and lifting Chevron (CVX) shares by 0.9%.

Lower-than-expected job gains also pressured Treasury yields downward, benefiting bank stocks. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS) both rose by 0.7%.

Industrial stocks led gains with Caterpillar (CAT) up 1.92%, 3M (MMM) increasing 1.04%, and Dow Chemical (DOW) rising 0.6%, helping the industrial sector climb 0.2%.

On the downside, Merck & Co. (MRK) and Amgen (AMGN) fell 2.46% and 1.94%, respectively, following FDA approval of Biogen and Eisai’s Alzheimer’s treatment. Biogen (BIIB) shares dropped 3.48%, contributing to a 1.1% decline in the healthcare sector.

Consumer staples also faced pressure, with Walmart (WMT) down 2.3%, Procter & Gamble (PG) down 2.1%, and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) falling 1.45%, leading the sector to a 1.3% loss.

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