As the US market prepares to open on Wednesday, let's get an early glimpse into the pre-market session and identify the S&P500 stocks leading the pack in terms of gains and losses.
Beauty products company Estée Lauder (NYSE:EL) met Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, but sales fell by 11.9% year on year to $3.41 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.09 per share was in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.
Estée Lauder (EL) stock drops after Q4 revenue misses estimates. The beauty giant cites challenges in Asia travel retail and new global tariffs impacting its 2026 outlook.
A number of stocks fell in the pre-market session after markets pulled back amid hotter-than-expected inflation data. The main concern for investors was the July Producer Price Index (PPI), a measure of wholesale inflation. The higher-than-expected reading suggests that companies could face squeezed profit margins due to rising costs. This also reduces the likelihood of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates, which could further dampen economic activity. Compounding these inflation fears are multiple reports signaling a weakening consumer.
Join us in exploring the top gainers and losers within the S&P500 index one hour before the close of the markets on Thursday as we examine the latest happenings in today's session.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after markets continued to rally as a surprisingly subdued inflation report fueled hopes for an imminent interest rate cut from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed a year-over-year increase of 2.7%, which was slightly below market expectations. This tamer-than-expected inflation data was viewed by investors as a key signal that price pressures are easing. As a result, the market has strengthened its conviction that the U.S. Federal Reserve will implement an interest rate cut in September. The prospect of lower borrowing costs tends to boost corporate profitability and can stimulate economic activity, creating a more favorable environment for consumer-facing companies and fueling a broad-based market rally.
Shares of beauty products company Estée Lauder (NYSE:EL)
jumped 3.2% in the morning session after the release of a favorable Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation cooling more than anticipated. The July report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated a year-over-year inflation rate of 2.7%, just below the 2.8% economists had forecast. This suggests that price pressures on consumers may be easing. Particularly beneficial for the sector was the news that the food index remained flat, with grocery prices even declining by 0.1% month-over-month. This development is seen as a positive for the profitability of food, beverage, and personal care companies, as lower input costs and increased consumer purchasing power could boost sales. A Federal Reserve official's comments on the same day, noting that consumer spending fundamentals remain solid, further bolstered investor confidence in the sector's resilience.
Large-cap stocks have the power to shape entire industries thanks to their size and widespread influence.
With such vast footprints, however, finding new areas for growth is much harder than for smaller, more agile players.
