Market preview for the session of Thursday, August 14, 2025
U.S. markets head into the next trading session with a mixture of targeted strength and sector-specific weakness after a news-heavy day that produced notable stock moves but little net change for the broader market. The S&P 500 finished roughly flat in the prior session, yet the action underneath that calm headline number points to a market that will be led by corporate headlines and policy signals rather than broad macro momentum.
Two stories are likely to set the initial tone. First, a Bloomberg report that U.S. government officials have held discussions about taking an equity stake in Intel propelled the chipmaker to a gain of more than seven percent. That move is likely to ripple through semiconductor suppliers and equipment providers as traders weigh the implications of potential government involvement for funding, competitive positioning, and longer term support for domestic chipmaking capacity. Second, UnitedHealth leapt more than eight percent in after-hours trading following a disclosure that Berkshire Hathaway had built a $1.6 billion position in the stock as of the end of June. That late session jump in a major health insurer could create further interest in large cap healthcare names when markets open and could extend gains into related insurance and managed care stocks.
What to watch in technology and semiconductors
The reported U.S. discussions about an Intel equity interest are a near term catalyst for semiconductor names. Traders should watch premarket activity for names that tend to move in sympathy with Intel. The report may encourage a rotation into chipmakers and capital goods companies tied to semiconductor production. Markets often prize clarity on policy support for strategic industries, and even exploratory discussions can drive speculative positioning. Pay attention to any follow up statements from government agencies or company spokespeople as the session unfolds. Those remarks will determine whether the move is treated as a material policy development or a story that fades into a technical rebound.
Healthcare and influence of large stakes
The unexpected disclosure of a large Berkshire Hathaway position in UnitedHealth introduces fresh interest into the healthcare sector. Institutional moves by high profile investors can trigger rebalancing flows and renewed analyst attention. If that buying pressure extends beyond UnitedHealth the session could see broader strength across insurers and healthcare services. Keep an eye on after-hours prints and early volume patterns for clues about whether the jump will carry through the regular trading day.
Industrials and agricultural equipment pressure
Industrial names will be under the microscope following a disappointing report from Deere. The company posted a nine percent decline in quarterly revenue year over year and a 26 percent fall in net income. Management said many customers remain cautious as they assess their end markets and await clarity on tariff rates. CFO commentary confirmed that price moves were not sufficient to offset the tariff impact. In agriculture, Deere said cuts were driven by actions to address used inventory in North America. Lower commodity prices also continue to squeeze farm margins according to investor relations. Deere shares slid nearly seven percent on the day and that weakness may spill over to peers that serve similar customer sets or that are sensitive to agricultural capital spending. Traders should monitor machinery and industrial parts names for further downside pressure or potential oversold bounces.
Consumer goods under tariff strain
Consumers and retail names will watch the fallout from the Tapestry report. While the company posted record revenue of $1.7 billion for the quarter, an $855 million impairment tied to Kate Spade pushed the company into a net loss of $517 million. Management pointed to tariff-related profit headwinds and the earlier than expected end of certain de minimis exemptions as meaningful factors. Kate Spade sales declined 13 percent year over year and the brand’s manufacturing footprint concentrated in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and the Philippines was described as being disproportionately affected by tariffs. That story highlights how trade policy and tariff enforcement can translate into near term earnings pressure for consumer brands that source internationally. Expect retailer and apparel stocks to trade with sensitivity to any further tariff headlines or to company disclosures about supply chain exposure.
Fintech and AI headlines
The payments and fintech space supplied a regulatory and credit flavor to the news flow. A coalition of fintech and crypto executives including signatories from companies like Klarna and Robinhood wrote to the administration urging limits on U.S. banks charging fees for access to customer data. That advocacy could become a policy front to watch if it gains momentum and if lawmakers or regulators respond. Separately, Klarna raised its provision for losses by 64 percent even as the company said overall customer delinquency rates are falling. The increased provision signals prudence but also keeps investor attention on consumer credit quality at buy now pay later firms.
On the AI front, startup funding continued to make headlines with Cohere raising funds at a $6.8 billion valuation and Nvidia among the investors. That development is likely to support sentiment for enterprise AI plays and for semiconductor names linked to AI workloads. Traders may favor stocks that are often lifted by positive funding or partnership headlines in the AI ecosystem.
Trading plan and risk points
For the coming session, expect headline driven sector moves. Watch premarket action in Intel and UnitedHealth as signals of opening direction in technology and healthcare. Monitor industrials and consumer discretionary names for further reaction to Deere and Tapestry earnings details. Any additional clarity from government sources about an Intel equity interest will be a major intraday catalyst and could determine whether the chip rally broadens. Keep an eye on volume patterns and on earnings call excerpts that speak to tariffs and inventory management. Those remarks will shape investor interpretation of how persistent the pressure will be for affected companies.
Volatility may be concentrated rather than broad based. The S&P’s flat close suggests limited follow through from macro drivers, and so company specific disclosures and policy notes will likely matter more than general market themes. Traders should size positions with the understanding that headlines can produce outsized moves for single names but may not translate into a sustained market wide trend.
In short, expect a session where semiconductor and healthcare headlines create opportunity while industrials and consumer names contend with tariff related earnings pressure. Keep alerts set for official statements and earnings call commentary and be prepared for rapid repositioning that follows fresh information on government involvement with Intel or on tariff rules that affect global supply chains.
