The Nasdaq rises 0.6% on October 31 following strong Amazon and Apple earnings boost. Amazon shares surged 9.6% after better-than-expected third-quarter results, while Apple earnings provided a modest boost despite a 0.4% stock decline. The earnings boost helped the Nasdaq composite gains, marking continued momentum in technology-driven markets.
Amazon’s Third-Quarter 2025 Earnings and Growth Highlights
Amazon reported $180.2 billion in revenue for Q3 2025, a 12% year-over-year increase, beating market expectations. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at $1.95, 25% above analyst estimates. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud segment grew 20.2%, its fastest pace since 2022, driven by accelerated data-center capacity expansion and substantial artificial intelligence (AI) investments. These strong results, along with Apple earnings, provided an earnings boost Nasdaq investors welcomed, helping boost Nasdaq and boost Nasdaq composite performance. [2][3]
Amazon faced $4.3 billion in special charges related to an FTC settlement and severance costs but gained $9.5 billion pre-tax from its Anthropic AI investment. CEO Andy Jassy highlighted AWS’s market leadership and evolving AI strategies. Amazon also plans to hire 250,000 seasonal workers for the holiday peak, following a record Prime Day with $24.1 billion in U.S. online sales. The company’s forecast for fourth-quarter sales is approximately $208 billion, indicating ongoing growth but at a moderated pace compared to past quarters. [4][5]
Apple’s Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2025 Performance
Apple reported record quarterly revenue of $102.5 billion, an 8% year-over-year increase driven largely by record $49 billion iPhone sales in the September quarter. Services revenue reached an all-time high. Apple emphasized its strongest product lineup ever, including the iPhone 17 series, AirPods Pro 3, and new Apple Watch models, underpinning confidence for the holiday quarter.
Adjusted EPS rose 13% to $1.85. Despite strong fundamentals, Apple’s stock saw modest declines post-earnings, influenced by cautious investor sentiment amid supply chain considerations. [7][6]
Market Index Movements and International Trends on October 31, 2025
- Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.1% higher.
- S&P 500 increased 0.3%.
- Nasdaq Composite rose 0.6%, buoyed by tech earnings.
- Both Dow and Nasdaq achieved their longest monthly winning streaks since January 2018.
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 reached a record high and posted its largest monthly gain since 1990.
- Other major global markets experienced declines, reflecting regional volatility. [9][8]
Energy Sector Earnings and Production Plans from Chevron and ExxonMobil
Chevron’s Q3 earnings per share declined 26.5% to $1.83 on $49.15 billion in revenue, but the company reaffirmed production growth plans. ExxonMobil posted net income of $7.5 billion and EPS of $1.76, maintaining shareholder returns through dividends and buybacks amid commodity price fluctuations. [11][10]
Key Takeaways from Quarterly Earnings and Market Performance
- Amazon revenue rose 12% to $180.2 billion; EPS beat expectations at $1.95.
- AWS expanded 20.2%, driven by AI and cloud investment acceleration.
- Amazon incurred $4.3 billion special charges but offset with $9.5 billion gain on Anthropic AI.
- Apple recorded Q4 revenue of $102.5 billion; iPhone sales hit $49 billion.
- Apple Services revenue reached an all-time high; adjusted EPS grew 13% to $1.85.
- Major US indexes rose with Dow and Nasdaq setting notable monthly winning streaks.
- Chevron’s earnings declined by 26.5%, but production growth plans continue.
- ExxonMobil sustained profitability and shareholder returns despite sector headwinds. [13][12]
Areas for Ongoing Investor Attention and Transparency Disclaimer
- The long-term impact of Amazon’s AI investments remains uncertain; future earnings reports will provide clarity.
- Apple’s supply chain constraints and competition may affect holiday quarter outcomes.
- Energy sector earnings remain sensitive to commodity price shifts; monitoring is advised.
- International market divergences could influence US equity indices. [15][14]
