Weekly Strategy Update - Tech Gets The Headline Winners As Finance Continues To Roll
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U.S. equities posted strong weekly gains, led by the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500, as robust earnings results propelled technology and financial sectors higher. The Nasdaq Composite closed at a record high, with heavyweight tech names delivering standout performances, while financials maintained their momentum with multiple top-rated holdings.
ETF Performance
| Ticker | Name | VE Rating | Last Close Date | Last Close Price | Last Week Price | Change |
| QQQM | Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 4 | 08-08-2025 | 236.52 | 232.22 | 1.85% |
| SCHD | Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | 2 | 08-08-2025 | 26.88 | 26.61 | 1.01% |
| SPLG | SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | 4 | 08-08-2025 | 74.96 | 74.25 | 0.96% |
| VB | Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund ETF | 2 | 08-08-2025 | 240.12 | 241.3 | -0.49% |
| XLB | Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund | 1 | 08-08-2025 | 88.35 | 87.87 | 0.55% |
| XLC | Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 107.63 | 108.16 | -0.49% |
| XLE | Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund | 1 | 08-08-2025 | 84.93 | 85.4 | -0.55% |
| XLF | Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 51.85 | 51.91 | -0.12% |
| XLI | Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund | 4 | 08-08-2025 | 150.83 | 151.12 | -0.19% |
| XLK | Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3 | 08-08-2025 | 265.92 | 262.29 | 1.38% |
| XLP | Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund | 2 | 08-08-2025 | 82.48 | 80.55 | 2.40% |
| XLRE | Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund | 1 | 08-08-2025 | 41.25 | 41.64 | -0.94% |
| XLU | Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund | 3 | 08-08-2025 | 86.18 | 87.32 | -1.31% |
| XLV | Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund | 1 | 08-08-2025 | 130.16 | 133.01 | -2.14% |
| XLY | Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 223.78 | 218.63 | 2.36% |
Top 3 Stock Performers (Global)
| Ticker | Name | VE Rating | Last Close Date | Last Close Price | Price 30 Days Ago | Difference |
| SFTBY | SoftBank Group Corp - ADR | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 47.15 | 34.81 | 35.45% |
| GFI | Gold Fields Ltd | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 31.29 | 24.23 | 29.14% |
| SHOP | Shopify Inc | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 149.61 | 116.74 | 28.16% |
Top 3 Stock Performers (US)
| Ticker | Name | VE Rating | Last CLose Date | Last Close Price | Price 30 Days Ago | Difference |
| ALAB | Astera Labs Inc | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 179.28 | 90.32 | 98.49% |
| RDDT | Reddit Inc | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 215.44 | 146.38 | 47.18% |
| ALNY | Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 5 | 08-08-2025 | 438.93 | 315.75 | 39.01% |
Strategy Note
Forget what we wrote last week about advising the markets to take Fridays off for the summer.
The gains on Friday and all week for the Nasdaq-100 more than made up for the downturns that had characterized Fridays in recent weeks.
In fact, the Nasdaq Composite achieved a record close on Friday, Aug. 8, gaining 3.9% for the week. The S&P 500 rose 2.4% for the week. Most earnings reports continue to beat or meet analyst expectations. The technology sector continued to dominate positive returns. This was powered by a 13% return by Apple (AAPL) and returns well over 5% for Google (GOOGL) and Broadcom (AVGO) amidst strong returns for the tech sector as a whole. Google and Broadcom are rated 4 (Buy), indicating better than average forecasted returns while Apple is forecast as performing in line with the market, with a ValuEngine rating of 3 (Hold) at this price level. One stock with a Buy Rating of 4 that is scheduled to report earnings this coming week is Cisco Systems (CSCO).
The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), which tracks the Russell 2000, gained a meager 0.3% during the week as small cap stock returns continue to underperform significantly. However, it did take IWM back into positive territory with a year-to-date gain of 0.2%, taking it above zero for the first time this summer. Most foreign developed market indexes did not have nearly as good a week as their U.S. counterparts, with most Asian markets (with the lone exception of Japan) losing ground while Europe mostly treaded water.
The other sector, along with Technology, that continues to deliver stellar returns is Finance. We continue to rate XLF, the Select Finance Sector SPDR ETF, a solid 5 (Strong Buy), with 5 of its 10 top holdings by weight also rated 5. These finance stocks that we expect to continue significantly outgaining the market as a whole include: JP Morgan Chase (JPM), Visa (V), Wells Fargo (WFC), Morgan Stanley (MS), and Citigroup (C).
More By This Author:
Should Wall Street Take Fridays Off For The Summer?
Is It Too Late To Buy Technology?
Is It Too Late For Technology Stocks And ETFs?
Current ValuEngine reports on all covered stocks and ETFs can be viewed on ValuEngine.com with a free trial - Contact Herb@ValuEngine.com for free pdf ...
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