A tech earnings showdown and a coffee surprise: Today's market twist

2 minutes read

30 July 2025

A tech earnings showdown and a coffee surprise: Today's market twist

Wall Street opened today with investors’ eyes glued to two things: the Federal Reserve’s rate announcement and the tech titans gearing up for after-hours fireworks. On a seemingly quiet day, some surprising moves rippled through the market—showing just how lively the story beneath the surface really is.

All eyes on the Fed, but tech sets the tempo

This afternoon, the Fed will wrap up its two-day policy meeting. Most expect the Fed to hold rates steady, but anticipation is thick for any clues in Jerome Powell’s press conference. Analysts at Schwab put it bluntly: “Even the hint of a September rate cut could jolt the market—bulls and bears alike are keeping one ear on every word”.

Yet while monetary policy hogs the spotlight, Big Tech is ready to steal the show. Microsoft and Meta will post results just after the closing bell. Both face tough questions—not just about last quarter, but about the billion-dollar bets each has made on artificial intelligence. “The next wave of tech leadership depends on who can turn AI hype into real growth,” said Lydia Bessent, a portfolio manager quoted by Yahoo Finance. “Wall Street’s patience for vague promises is getting shorter by the day”.

Investors have already started shifting their chips ahead of the announcements. Nasdaq futures pushed up nearly 0.2%, reflecting the expectation—or maybe just the hope—that Big Tech’s rally will continue. Bar chart showing sector performance on July 30, 2025

A morning jolt from Starbucks and fresh headlines from the trade front

Not all the action waited for showtime. In after-hours trading, Starbucks surprised the market: U.S. sales slipped, but by less than feared. The company’s shares jumped by almost 5% as soon as the results hit screens. If you need an example of how even a small “beat” can jolt a slow market, this was it. “The results aren’t great, but the market’s been braced for worse. Sometimes, relief is all you need,” quipped equity analyst Trey Muller.

Meanwhile, trade headlines snapped into focus as President Trump’s self-imposed Friday deadline for a new round of tariffs on China crept closer. The latest round of U.S.-China talks ended without a clear deal, and fresh tariffs are on the table. That’s kept cyclical stocks and exporters on edge.

And for every winner, there’s a loser. Visa, despite solid results, saw its shares slip over 2% in extended trading—proof that in this earnings season, “good enough” rarely cuts it in a market chasing perfection.

So, while most headlines talk about the Fed, it’s the drumbeat of earnings and the looming trade deadline that’s telling today’s real story. As Lydia Bessent put it: “In markets like this, the interesting stuff isn’t always on the front page. Look a little deeper, and you’ll spot where tomorrow’s action will begin.”

Key points:

Fed rate decision at 2 p.m. ET: market expects no change, but will parse every word for hints.
Tech giants Microsoft and Meta set for defining earnings after the bell—AI in the spotlight.
Starbucks jumps on “less bad than feared” results.
Tariff deadline with China looms, adding a layer of uncertainty for global stocks.
For traders, today isn’t about spectacular moves—it’s the set-up for what could be a game-changing end to the week.

Sometimes, the real excitement is just below the surface—like that morning coffee jolt before a busy afternoon.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or brokerage companies, and not of Winvesta. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.