Business

S&P 500 Extends Winning Streak Despite Moody’s Downgrade

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2025

Bull charging forward on a stock market background

U.S. stocks managed to maintain their upward momentum on Monday, marking a six-day winning streak for the S&P 500, even as investors grappled with Moody’s recent downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. The market’s resilience was attributed to easing bond yields and a focus on upcoming earnings reports.

Key Takeaways

The S&P 500 closed up nearly 0.1%, extending its winning streak to six days.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite also saw slight gains.
Moody’s downgraded the U.S. credit rating from AAA to AA1, citing rising deficits and debt refinancing challenges.
Treasury yields fluctuated, with the 10-year yield nearing 4.5% before retreating.
Retail giants like Home Depot and Walmart are navigating tariff impacts, with Home Depot maintaining stable prices.

Market Reaction to Moody’s Downgrade

Moody’s decision to downgrade the U.S. government’s long-term credit rating from AAA to AA1 was a significant event, reflecting concerns over escalating deficits and the burden of refinancing U.S. debt amid high interest rates. This downgrade aligns Moody’s with Fitch and S&P, which had previously lowered the U.S. rating.

Despite the downgrade, many analysts viewed the market’s reaction as a non-event, suggesting that such downgrades often do not have lasting impacts on stock performance. Historical data indicates that credit rating downgrades have coincided with long-term bull markets for U.S. equities.

Bond Yields and Economic Indicators

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield rose to approximately 4.5% before easing, while the 30-year yield briefly surpassed 5%, a level not seen since late 2023.
Investors are closely monitoring upcoming economic indicators, including manufacturing data and initial jobless claims, which could influence market sentiment.

Retail Sector Developments

The retail sector is under scrutiny as companies respond to tariff pressures:

Home Depot announced it would not raise prices despite tariff challenges, surprising investors and boosting its stock.
Walmart, on the other hand, warned that tariffs would likely lead to price increases, prompting criticism from President Trump, who urged the retailer to absorb the costs.

Looking Ahead

As the week progresses, attention will shift to earnings reports from major retailers, including Target and Home Depot. Analysts are optimistic about the earnings season, with a significant percentage of S&P 500 companies beating Wall Street estimates so far.

In summary, while the S&P 500 continues its winning streak, the market remains vigilant about economic indicators and corporate earnings, navigating the complexities introduced by Moody’s downgrade and ongoing tariff discussions. Investors are advised to stay informed as the landscape evolves, particularly in the retail sector and bond markets.