
Joe Fernandez
Oct 2, 2025
Third Quarter 2025 Recap and Outlook
Markets carried their strong momentum from Q2 into Q3, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and small-cap stocks each hitting new highs. Investor sentiment remained optimistic despite soft labor market data and mixed economic signals, and stocks traded higher due to strong corporate earnings, the Federal Reserve’s pivot toward rate cuts, and easing trade tensions. The technology sector remained an important contributor, as artificial intelligence (AI) companies reported strong earnings growth. At the same time, improving market breadth added fuel to the rally, and small-cap stocks finally broke above their 2021 highs. In this letter, we recap Q3’s defining themes, review stock and bond market performance, and look ahead to the final quarter of 2025.
Read the full letter here.
