S&P 500 Surges 1.6% as Vistra Climbs on License Renewal and Rising Power Prices
The S&P 500 experienced a notable 1.6% increase on July 31, 2025, driven by the Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates and significant gains in technology stocks.
Michael Bromberg brings over ten years of expertise as a finance editor, skilled in simplifying intricate financial concepts into clear and accessible language. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia.
Highlights
- On July 31, 2024, the S&P 500 rose 1.6% following the Federal Reserve’s anticipated decision to keep interest rates steady, alongside a tech sector rally.
- Vistra Corp. shares surged after the company secured a license extension for its Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant and benefited from higher power market prices.
- Humana’s stock declined sharply due to concerns over increased inpatient hospital admissions and rising net costs impacting profit forecasts for 2024.
U.S. stock indices rallied at the close of July as the Federal Reserve confirmed its widely expected pause on interest rate hikes. The Fed’s statement highlighted easing inflation and a cooling labor market, fueling market optimism for a potential rate cut in September.
The S&P 500 climbed 1.6%, the Nasdaq gained 2.6% buoyed by technology stocks, and the Dow added 0.2% on the day.
Vistra Corp. (VST) led the S&P 500 with a 14.8% jump after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved an extension for its Texas-based Comanche Peak plant, allowing operations through 2053 with a capacity of 2,400 megawatts.
Additional momentum came from PJM’s announcement of an 800% year-over-year increase in power prices at its annual market auction. Constellation Energy (CEG), another nuclear power provider, also posted a strong 12.5% gain.
Match Group (MTCH) shares rose 13.2% following robust Q2 results that surpassed sales expectations. Growth was driven by Hinge, which saw a 48% year-over-year revenue increase, supported by its algorithm-based matchmaking. The CEO noted stabilization in monthly active users and improved paid user acquisition.
Semiconductor stocks rebounded after Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) reported record Q2 revenue, fueled by high demand for AI chips in its data center segment. AMD shares rose 4.4%.
Furthermore, easing export restrictions on key chipmaking equipment for certain countries boosted the sector. Nvidia (NVDA) shares surged 12.8%, with Broadcom (AVGO) up 12.0%.
Humana (HUM) experienced a 10.6% drop, the largest in the S&P 500, after issuing cautious full-year earnings guidance. Despite beating Q2 sales and profit estimates, rising inpatient admissions and net costs are expected to weigh on profitability through 2024.
Verisk Analytics (VRSK) shares declined 8.5% following a mixed Q2 earnings report that beat profit forecasts but missed revenue targets, alongside a conservative full-year sales outlook. The dip may also reflect profit-taking after recent record highs.
Bunge Global (BG), the leading global oilseed processor, fell 8.1% after posting weaker-than-expected Q2 profits due to reduced crushing margins. Persistently low crop prices amid abundant corn and soybean supplies continue to challenge farmers and processors alike.
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