Wall Street had a bit of a rough go of it on Wednesday. Honestly, it felt like the market was just trying to catch its breath after a summer that was, frankly, exhausting. After a string of record-breaking highs earlier in the week, the major indexes decided to take a step back on September 24, 2025. The S&P 500 slipped about 0.3% to close at 6,637.97. The Dow Jones Industrial Average didn't fare much better, dropping 0.4%—around 171 points—to end at 46,121.28. Even the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which usually carries the team, dipped 0.3% to 22,497.86. It wasn't a total collapse, but it definitely felt like the "everything rally" was hitting a snag.
What's Really Driving Stock Market News September 24 2025
The big story isn't just the red on the screen; it’s the shift in where the money is going. For months, everyone has been obsessed with AI. But lately, investors are looking at these massive valuations and asking, "Is this actually sustainable?"
Fed Chair Jerome Powell didn't exactly help the mood. Speaking in Providence, Rhode Island, he basically admitted that equity prices are looking "fairly highly valued." When the person in charge of the country's money says things are getting expensive, people tend to listen.
The Intel and Apple Rumor
One of the weirdest highlights from the stock market news September 24 2025 was Intel (INTC). While the rest of the tech sector was struggling, Intel shares jumped over 6%. Why? A report from Bloomberg suggested that Intel had been in talks with Apple about a potential stake in the company. It’s a wild turn of events for a chipmaker that many people had written off just a year ago. Between government subsidies and now these Apple rumors, Intel is suddenly the comeback kid of 2025.
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Energy and Utilities Step Up
While tech was lagging, energy stocks were actually doing great. The S&P 500 energy sector rose 1.3%. Oil prices (WTI) climbed to about $64.80 a barrel.
Xcel Energy (XEL) was actually the top performer in the S&P 500, jumping 6.7%. They settled a massive $640 million lawsuit related to the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado. Even though they’re paying out a huge chunk of change, the market hates uncertainty more than it hates debt. Having that legal cloud finally clear up was enough to send the stock soaring.
The Winners and Losers You Need to Know
It wasn't all bad news if you knew where to look. Centene (CNC) gained nearly 6% because their managed health subsidiary, Meridian Health, reported some solid success in reining in medical costs for Medicaid members. On the flip side, Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) got absolutely hammered. Their shares tumbled 17%—the worst in the S&P 500—after they lowered their forecasts for copper and gold sales. Problems at their Indonesia unit are clearly starting to bite.
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Axon Enterprise (AXON) also took a 10% hit. Usually, when a company announces an acquisition, people get excited. But investors apparently weren't thrilled about Axon buying "Prepared," an AI-powered emergency communications platform. It seems the market is getting a little skeptical of companies just slapping "AI" on every new purchase.
A Quick Look at the Numbers:
- S&P 500: 6,637.97 (Down 0.3%)
- Dow Jones: 46,121.28 (Down 0.4%)
- Nasdaq: 22,497.86 (Down 0.3%)
- Bitcoin: Holding strong around $113,500.
- Gold: Pulled back to $3,765 an ounce after hitting a record high earlier in the day.
The "Overvalued" Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the Fed. Governor Michelle Bowman made some comments in North Carolina that really spooked a few people. She’s worried that the labor market is weakening faster than they expected and that the Fed might be "behind the curve."
Basically, she's worried they waited too long to pivot.
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We saw a 25-basis-point rate cut earlier this month, bringing the target range to 4.00% – 4.25%. But if the jobs data keeps coming in soft, the market is going to start screaming for bigger cuts. Right now, it’s a delicate balancing act. If the Fed cuts too fast, inflation could come roaring back. If they wait too long, we’re looking at a recession.
Actionable Insights for Your Portfolio
If you're looking at the stock market news September 24 2025 and wondering what to do with your own money, here are a few things to consider based on today's action:
- Watch the "Value" Rotation: Tech is getting expensive. The fact that Energy and Utilities outperformed today suggests that big money is moving into "safer" or more reasonably priced sectors. It might be time to check if you're too top-heavy in AI stocks.
- Keep an Eye on the 10-Year Treasury: The yield ticked up to 4.15%. This affects everything from your mortgage to how companies borrow money. If this keeps climbing, it'll put even more pressure on growth stocks.
- Intel is a Wildcard: If the Apple stake rumor turns out to be true, the chip landscape changes completely. But be careful—buying on rumors is a great way to lose money if the deal falls through.
- Gold and Bitcoin as Hedges: Even with the slight pullback today, gold is still up massively for the year. Bitcoin at $113k shows that "digital gold" is becoming a mainstream part of the portfolio for a lot of people as they hedge against a weakening dollar.
The market is clearly in a "wait and see" mode. We’ve had a massive run-up in 2025 so far—the S&P is still up over 16% for the year—but days like today are a reminder that the path up is never a straight line.
Next Steps for Investors:
Review your exposure to the "Magnificent 7." They’ve carried the market for a long time, but with breadth starting to decline (meaning fewer stocks are participating in the gains), you don't want to be the last one holding the bag if the rotation into value stocks accelerates. Check the upcoming PCE inflation data later this week; that will be the next big catalyst for the Fed’s November meeting.