3 after 5 📅: Aug 25 – Aug 29, 2025

Three keys that shaped the week in the markets.

August 30, 2025

In summary… Stocks cooled near highs as Core PCE* stayed firm, the 10-yr* yield edged down, oil ticked up, and Bitcoin slipped. As of August 29, 2025, 5:00 PM ET.

🔑 #1: Core PCE stayed sticky; cuts still likely.
What happened — Core PCE* rose 0.3% m/m and 2.9% y/y in July, matching forecasts. Consumers kept spending, even as services prices ran warm.

Why it matters — Markets still lean toward a September 25 bp* rate cut; if inflation cools next, mortgage and loan rates could drift lower into fall. 🏦

🔑 #2: Mega-cap pause nudged the Nasdaq 100 lower.
What happened — The S&P 500 slipped ~0.1% for the week; the Nasdaq 100 fell ~0.4%. Tech leaders wobbled after mixed earnings headlines, and indexes faded from records.

Why it matters — When leadership rests, returns depend more on broad participation; expect choppier days if mega-caps keep taking breathers. 📊

🔑 #3: Oil squeezed out a gain; dollar was flat; Bitcoin sagged.
What happened — WTI crude rose about 1% on the week ahead of next week’s OPEC+ meeting. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY*) was roughly unchanged, while Bitcoin fell ~1.3% and held near $111K.

Why it matters — Slightly firmer oil can keep gas prices sticky; a steady dollar blunts that a bit, but crypto’s softness hints risk appetite isn’t one-way. 🛢️

🏈 Quick Scorecard: S&P 500 −0.1%; Nasdaq 100 −0.4%; 10-yr −3 bps (~−0.7%) to ~4.23%; DXY +0.1%; WTI +1.0%; Bitcoin −1.3% — Mon–Fri.

👀 What to watch next week: Friday’s U.S. jobs report (NFP*) — a cooler print would firm up the September cut path; a hot one could lift yields and the dollar.

📚 Decoder

Core PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures): The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge; core excludes food and energy.
bp (basis point): 0.01%. So 25 bp = 0.25%.
10-yr yield: Interest rate on the 10-year U.S. Treasury; influences mortgages, auto loans, and business borrowing.
DXY (U.S. Dollar Index): Dollar vs. a basket of major currencies; softer dollar can support commodities and U.S. multinationals.
NFP (Nonfarm Payrolls): Monthly U.S. jobs report that often moves rates, stocks, and the dollar.

That’s a wrap on this week’s three keys. Share if you found the info useful, and be on the lookout for your next brief from 5 Minute Markets ⏱️.

Educational only—not investment advice.

3 after 5 📅: Aug 25 – Aug 29, 2025

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