The Dow Jones Industrial Average and other major stock indexes finished higher Monday as President Donald Trump was set to meet congressional leaders in a bid to avert a government shutdown. Shares of Electronic Arts, Tesla, and Nvidia fared well. But Carnival dropped below a key level while other equities tested buy points on the stock market today.
Indexes tilted upward after last week's decline. The Dow closed Monday's session up 0.2%. Nvidia led blue chips with a gain of 2.1%. Caterpillar and Walt Disney were among the index's strongest performers. But Chevron and Boeing paced losing issues, falling 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite ended up 0.5%. Shopify stood out here with a lift of more than 6%. AppLovin also shined with a gain of more than 6%. The latter stock was boosted after Morgan Stanley raised its price target from 480 to 750 while reiterating an overweight rating.
Tech Stocks, IBD 50 Shine
The benchmark S&P 500 logged a 0.3% advance. Nine of the benchmark's 11 sectors were positive. Consumer discretionary and technology were the strongest areas while energy and communication services fell.
Volume ended higher on both the New York Stock Exchange and on the Nasdaq vs. Friday, according to recent data. Decliners had an edge on advancers on the NYSE, while the reverse was true on the latter exchange.
Small caps came off session highs, leaving the Russell 2000 up less than one point. But growth stocks were well in front, with the Innovator IBD 50 exchange-traded fund up 1.9%
The 10-year Treasury yield dipped five basis points to 4.14%. Oil prices skidded nearly 4%, with West Texas intermediate futures trading around $63.20 per barrel.
RH, Williams-Sonoma Fall After Trump Tariff Threat
A number of furniture stocks were under pressure after Trump doubled down on threats to impose tariffs on imports.
"In order to make North Carolina, which has completely lost its furniture business to China, and other Countries, GREAT again, I will be imposing substantial Tariffs on any Country that does not make its furniture in the United States," he said in a Truth Social post Monday.
There will be "details to follow," Trump also said.
RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, ended off session lows but logged a 2.3% loss.
It has been a brutal year so far for the stock, with RH losing around half of its value in 2025, according to MarketSurge data. The stock lost support at the 10-week moving average last week.
The company sources much of its goods in Asia. However, it has been working to address the issue and has moved some production to a factory in North Carolina.
Williams-Sonoma, which also has Asia exposure in its supply chain, flashed a sell signal by undercutting the 50-day moving average. It fell 4.7%.
In contrast, Wayfair managed to rally 2.7%. It is rebounding from the 21-day line, MarketSurge analysis shows.
Ethan Allen Interiors, which makes about three-quarters of its furniture in North America, rose 0.8%. It has managed to scramble back above the 50-day moving average.
2:45 p.m. ET
Carnival Stock Sinks Below Key Level After Earnings
One stock that has sailed higher in 2025 is cruise play Carnival.
However, it triggered a sell rule Monday as it sank below its 50-day moving average. The move came in massive volume, which further confirmed the signal.
Carnival was down nearly 5% on the stock market today despite third-quarter earnings coming in above Wall Street views. EPS popped 13% to $1.43 as revenue climbed 3% to $8.15 billion.
The cruise line operator also issued fourth-quarter guidance that was better than expected, with the firm expecting EPS of 23 cents. It also raised its full-year earnings guidance from $1.97 per share to $2.14 per share, again better than consensus views.
JPMorgan reiterated a buy rating on the stock and hiked its price target from 39 to 42.
Given the stock has rallied as much as 88% above 2025 lows, some traders could be taking the opportunity to lock in some gains.
But even with today's loss, Carnival remains up almost 17% so far in 2025. The stock has a strong IBD Composite Rating of 96.
1:38 p.m. ET
Stock Market Today: Interactive Brokers Flirts With Entry
With most major indexes making gains, it allowed a number of equities to test buy points. One of them was Interactive Brokers, which edged into buy range with a 3% gain. Its cup base has a buy point of 68.07, MarketSurge analysis shows.
This is a second-stage pattern, which still counts as early. Shares had previously moved above an early buy point of 64.77.
The relative strength line is gaining traction, a positive sign as Interactive Brokers stages a breakout. Also, all-around performance is considered to be strong, with the stock's IBD Composite Rating sitting at 97 out of 99. It is among the top 9% of issues in terms of price performance over the past 12 months.
The stock has rallied more than 50% so far this year, MarketSurge data shows. This is much better than the benchmark S&P 500's lift.
Further, earnings have grown by an average of 22% over the past three quarters. This is just shy of the 25% sought by disciples of The IBD Methodology.
In total, 45% of shares are currently held by funds. Noteworthy backers include the Fidelity Contrafund (FMAGX).
12:49 p.m. ET
Enterprise Software Stock Tests Buy Point
Another stock that was attempting a breakout on the stock market today was enterprise software play Karooooo. It climbed 3.6% and moved above a weekly chart cup-with-handle entry of 57.20, according to MarketSurge analysis.
This is an early-stage pattern, a bonus. This move comes as it gets extended past a daily chart ideal buy point of 55.61.
The stock has an excellent Composite Rating of 97 out of 99 from Investor's Business Daily. Fundamental performance is a key strength, with its Earnings Per Share Rating sitting at 95. Earnings are seen growing 17% this year before slowing to 15% growth in 2026.
The Singapore-based firm provides a mobility software-as-a-service platform for connected vehicles. Its segments are named Cartrack, Carzuka and Karooooo Logistics.
The company helps firms manage their fleets of vehicles. It aims to provide customers with insights and analytics to increase efficiency and decrease costs while also assisting with regularity compliance.
11:56 a.m. ET
Stock Market Today: Leaderboard Stock Clears Entry
DoorDash was venturing above a cup-with-handle buy point of 269.06 with a gain of nearly 3%, MarketSurge analysis shows. This is a late-stage base, which adds risk, but the relative strength line remains near recent highs.
DoorDash stock is considered a good all-around performer, reflected in its IBD Composite Rating of 98 out of 99. Fundamental performance also is improving, as the stock currently holds an Earnings Per Share Rating of 80.
The food delivery firm swung from a loss of 38 cents to earnings of 65 cents in the most recent quarter. It also swung to profitability in the prior three quarters.
Analysts see further profit growth ahead. Earnings are expected to spike 752% this year before slowing to 59% growth in 2026, MarketSurge data shows.
The stock is also a strong performer technically. In fact, DoorDash has rallied more than 60% so far in 2025.
Further, institutions have increased their holdings of the stock lately, with its Accumulation/Distribution Rating coming in at B-. A number of Wall Street heavy hitters have taken a stake in the company. These include the lauded Fidelity Contrafund (FMAGX) and the Allspring Growth Fund (SGRAX).
Underlining its quality, DoorDash is currently a member of the IBD Leaderboard list of top stocks.
10:55 a.m. ET
Trump Set For Shutdown Talks
One potential risk for stocks is another Federal government shutdown. Trump is set to meet congressional leaders at the White House today in an attempt to hash out a deal.
Republicans are keen to pass a seven-week stopgap spending bill while Democrats are demanding extra funding for Affordable Care Act health care premiums.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday that the meeting is "only a first step" and that he is hoping for a "serious negotiation."
In addition to Democrats, the meeting will also feature appearances from top Republican lawmakers from the House and Senate. White House budget director Russ Vought has asked agencies for a lists of employees to fire if funding lapses, which increased pressure to get a deal done.
"Should Congress fail to strike a deal, we could see both stocks and the dollar under pressure, alongside renewed stress at the long end of the U.S. yield curve," Swissquote Bank senior analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya said in a note to clients. "Still, a last-minute deal is more likely than not, and shutdown scares have usually ended up as nonevents."
The government will partially shut down on Wednesday if a short-term spending deal is not struck. If this happens, it could delay publication of the U.S. jobs report, which is due Friday.
Stock Market Today: EA Pops Amid Record Buyout Move
Video game stock Electronic Arts popped on the news it is being taken private.
It rallied nearly 5% on the stock market today after it emerged it is being snapped up in a $55 billion all-cash leveraged buyout deal, the largest such transaction on record.
The buyers include investors includes Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners and Silver Lake. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which is a sovereign wealth fund, is another key backer.
Current shareholders will receive 210 per share in cash. The stock soared nearly 15% Friday, closing at 197.33.
The company's franchises include "Madden NFL," "EA Sports FC" and "Battlefield."
9:53 a.m. ET
Nasdaq 100 Winners, Losers: AppLovin, Palantir, Intel, Netflix
AppLovin and Palantir rallied nearly 5% and 0.8%, respectively, making them some of the best stocks Monday morning. AppLovin stock hit a new high as Palantir approached a 190 buy point.
Meanwhile, Intel and Netflix sold off nearly 4% and 0.5%, respectively. Intel shares threatened to snap a four-day winning streak, while Netflix slipped below its 50-day moving average.
9:22 a.m. ET
Dow Jones Movers: Amazon, Boeing, Caterpillar, Disney
Inside the blue chip index, Amazon, Boeing, Caterpillar posted solid gains in premarket trading Monday. Amazon stock climbed 0.8%, still below the 50-day line after last week's heavy losses. Boeing shares rose 0.9%, looking to add to Friday's 3.6% leap. And Caterpillar stock moved up 0.9%, further above a recent buy point at 441.15.
On the downside, Disney declined 0.5% in morning action. Shares continue to consolidate below their 50-day line.
9 a.m. ET
Nvidia Stock Eyes Buy Point
Nvidia stock rallied 1% Monday premarket, looking to extend a winning streak to three sessions. Shares are rapidly approaching a flat base's 184.48 buy point.
Shares of the artificial intelligence titan found support at their 50-day moving average in recent sessions.
8:21 a.m. ET
Stock Market Today: Tesla Shareholders Await Delivery Numbers
Tesla stock climbed another 0.7% premarket Monday following Friday's 4% rally. Shares are sharply extended past a 367.71 buy point and are 10% away from their all-time high, reached back on Dec. 18.
Tesla plans to report third-quarter deliveries and production figures early Thursday. Analysts polled by FactSet see Tesla deliveries at 447,750. That would be up 16.6% vs. the second quarter's 384,122, but down 3.3% from 462,890 in the third quarter of 2024.
But the electric-vehicle giant's biggest news of the week is the promised release of the latest version of full self-driving. Tesla stock has been surging in recent weeks on self-driving optimism.
On the earnings front, Nike, along with Carnival and Levi Strauss, are set to report this week.
Stock Market Today: September Jobs Report
Friday's September jobs report takes the economic spotlight this week. Economists expect a 50,000-job overall payroll gain, with private payrolls up 75,000 and government jobs down by 25,000, according to FactSet. Economists expect the jobless rate and average hourly wage growth to hold at 4.3% and 3.7%, respectively.
Meanwhile, experts see the Institute for Supply Management manufacturing survey index, out Wednesday, to tick up to 49.4 but remain in a slight contraction.
Finally, a partial government shutdown could start after Tuesday, which could suspend the release of the jobs report and other economic data. Usually markets aren't that affected by a shutdown initially, but could weigh on stocks and bonds if it persists.
Please follow Michael Larkin on X at @IBD_MLarkin for more analysis of growth stocks.
Be sure to follow Scott Lehtonen on X at @IBD_SLehtonen for more on growth stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the stock market today.
