3 Economic Reports That Could Affect Your Portfolio This Week, September 22-26, 2025

All three major indexes hit all-time highs for the second consecutive session on Friday, propelled by the Federal Reserve's outlook for two more rate cuts this year after its widely expected 0.25% reduction on Wednesday. While initially the market dipped after Fed Chair Powell described the move as "a risk-management cut," the central bank's rate projections chart, known as the "Dot Plot" – which showed rate reductions may have been pulled forward – reignited the optimism. The Fed held steady its forecast for inflation and unemployment, while raising its GDP growth forecast for this year, helping ease stagflation fears.

Investors repositioned around a more dovish monetary outlook, benefiting riskier trades such as growth stocks and small caps, as well as the broad tech sector. Tech leaders such as Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Tesla (TSLA), part of the "Magnificent Seven" group, saw outsized weekly gains, helping lift the broader technology sector and contributing to overall market strength.

Sentiment was also supported by positive vibes from the ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions, with the TikTok divestiture deadline extended again and possible deal – that would have Oracle (ORCL) and other U.S. firms take control of the app – starting to coalesce. However, China appears to be using pressure on Nvidia (NVDA) as a negotiation technique, with the country's authorities banning its AI chips. The news weighed on the AI leader's performance midweek, but the stock rebounded later on the news of its massive Intel (INTC) investment, adding support to the chip sector.

This year's stock behavior is defying all market convictions, from "sell in May" to "September blues." With the Fed starting an easing cycle in a non-recessionary environment and the AI narrative apparently having harnessed more wind in its sails than many previously believed, we could see further stock-market gains. However, investors may be overly optimistic now, judging by soaring inflows into U.S. equities. Year-to-date, these inflows have totaled $294 billion, already marking the third-highest annual inflows on record – despite more than three months left till year-end. Given that U.S. stock valuations are already elevated across the board, this exuberance could expedite a period of consolidation or choppiness – or a stock correction – even with the overall outlook pointing towards a continued rally.

Three Economic Reports

Here are three key economic reports that could affect your portfolio this week. For a full listing of additional economic reports, check out the TipRanks Economic Calendar.

» September S&P Global Manufacturing PMI and Services PMI (preliminary readings) – Tuesday, 09/23 – These reports measure business activity in the manufacturing and services sectors, covering nearly all of the U.S. economic activity. As leading economic indicators, these indexes provide timely insight into current and future economic conditions.

» August Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (Core PCE) – Friday, 09/26 – This report tracks changes in inflation based on consumer spending, excluding volatile items such as food and energy. The Federal Reserve considers the annualized Core PCE Price Index its preferred inflation gauge.

» September Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and UoM 5-year Consumer Inflation Expectations (preliminary readings) – Friday, 09/26 – These reports summarize consumer confidence and long-term inflation expectations in the United States. Consumer confidence impacts spending, which accounts for roughly 70% of U.S. GDP. The inflation expectations component is closely monitored by policymakers and is factored into the Federal Reserve's Index of Inflation Expectations.

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