The Real Reason Nasdaq Hit a Record While the Dow Crashed

The Nasdaq Composite hit a new high on Friday, boosted by a rise in Tesla shares and investor optimism that signs of weakening jobs data and mild inflation will prompt the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week. While the Nasdaq gained 0.4%, the S&P 500 stayed near flat, and the Dow Jones fell 196 points (0.4%) after hitting a record high the previous day.

For the week, all three major indexes are set to post gains: the S&P 500 is up 1.6% (its best week since early August), the Nasdaq is up 2% (its second straight positive week), and the Dow has climbed 1.1%, breaking a two-week losing streak.

Investors are closely watching the Fed’s upcoming decision on September 17, with markets nearly certain of a 0.25% rate cut. Despite a higher-than-expected CPI reading, weak jobless claims data—reaching their highest level since October 2021—strengthened expectations for rate relief.

Top Movers: Under $10 

Allied Gaming & Entertainment Inc. (AGAE) is up 68.48% today to trade at the current level of $1.53. This comes after the company announced a strategic investment in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Huize Holding Ltd ADR (HUIZ) zoomed 43.78% in today’s trade to $4.07 after reporting second quarter 2025 unaudited financial results.

In current trading, Polyrizon Ltd (PLRZ) stock is at $1.25 after reporting successful intranasal delivery of PL-14 allergy blocker in the latest study.

Anebulo Pharmaceuticals Inc (ANEB) rose 16.42% in the early hours of today's trading to move at $2.34 after announcing an update on the going private transaction and strategic alternatives.

In the current trading session, Wearable Devices Ltd (WLDS) jumped 20.62% to $9.78 over a previous close of $8.11 after announcing the pricing of $4 million registered direct offering and concurrent private placement priced at-the-market under Nasdaq Rules.

Ex-Dividend Stocks

Ares Capital Corp (ARCC) is about to trade ex-dividend Monday, meaning that investors who buy the stock after Monday will not be eligible for the next dividend payment. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.48 per share. It has fixed September 15 as the record date for the same and will pay the actual dividend on September 30. Last year, the company distributed a total of $1.92 to its shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, ARCC has a trailing yield of 8.60% on the current stock price of $22.33.

Another stock that is shelling out dividends on Monday is C & F Financial Corp (CFFI), having a market capitalization of $226.27M. It will pay a dividend of $0.46 per share, the payment date of which is October 01. Currently, the stock is trading at a trailing dividend yield of 2.58%.

Shares of Capital Southwest Corp (CSWC) will be the talk of the stock market on Monday as the stock will turn ex-dividend. The company's next dividend payment will be $0.25 per share, and in the last 12 months, it paid a total of $2.76 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that CSWC has a trailing yield of 12.09% on the current share price of $22.83.

Dominos Pizza Inc (DPZ) is also set to go ex-dividend on Monday. The next dividend payment from DPZ will amount to $1.74 per share. September 15 has been designated as the record date for this dividend, with the actual payout scheduled for September 30. In the previous year, DPZ distributed a total of $6.50 to its valued shareholders. Considering the cumulative dividend payments from last year, the trailing yield for DPZ stands at 1.44% based on the current stock price of $452.37.

First Financial Bankshares, Inc (FFIN) will be paying out a dividend of $0.19 per share to shareholders holding their shares as of the close of business hours on the record date of September 15. Over the past 12 months, FFIN has paid out a total of $0.73 per share in dividends. Based on the total dividends paid out last year, FFIN boasts an impressive trailing yield of 2.03% on the current share price of $36.02.

Crypto Market Highlights

• UK trade groups urged the government to include blockchain technology in the "Tech Bridge" collaboration with the US.

• Tether launched a new dollar-backed stablecoin and named former White House crypto adviser Bo Hines as CEO of Tether USAT.

• Polymarket is integrating Chainlink’s oracle network to enhance the accuracy and speed of market resolutions.

• Spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted over $1.7 billion in inflows this week ahead of the Friday market close.

• The Smarter Web Company, the UK’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder, is exploring acquisitions of struggling rivals to grow its treasury.

Most Shorted Stocks

Six Flags Entertainment Corp (FUN) was one of the most shorted stocks as of the latest short interest figures, with 20.85% short interest. The days to cover ratio, a measure of how long it would take for all the short positions to be covered based on average trading volume, is 5.8. This represents a change of 1000000 shares, which corresponds to a +5.07% increase in short interest. The total value of the shares held short is estimated to be around $484.9 million. The average daily volume stands at 3.65M shares, and the market capitalization of the company is $2.37B.

The Therealreal Inc with the symbol REAL currently has a short interest of 21.98%. The short interest has changed by 280000 shares. The days to cover ratio stands at 6.6. The estimated value of the shares held short is approximately $223.35 million. On an average day, 3.54M shares are traded, with the company's market capitalization totaling $1.12B.

For the stock Nuvation Bio Inc (NUVB), the current short interest is at 29.59%. This represents a significant short interest change of -940000 shares, corresponding to a short interest percentage decrease of -1.36%. The days needed to cover the short positions amount to 10.2. The approximate worth of the shares held short is $214.61 million.

With the symbol SPCE, the stock currently has a short interest of 20.13%. The short interest change is 800000 shares, compared with a short interest percentage change of +7.53%. It would take approximately 3.4 days to cover all the short positions. The shares' short value is estimated to be around $228.92 million. The company boasts an average daily volume of 3.17M shares, contributing to a market capitalization of $193.22M.

The stock RCAT has a current short interest of 23.86%. The short interest percentage has experienced an increase of +12.22% while there was a change of 2150000 shares in short interest. The ratio indicating the time required to cover short positions is 2.2. The calculated worth of the shorted shares amounts to around $124.24 million. Trading activity averages at 9.23M shares per day, while the company's market capitalization stands at $1.08B.

Energy Stocks to Watch

According to our ST Score evaluation, DHT Holdings Inc (DHT) emerges as a high-quality stock in the Energy industry, attaining an impressive score of 66. The stock's profitability, performance, financial strength, and Piotroski Score are strong. Additionally, it is neutral in terms of growth, stock sentiment, and forecast.

Our ST Score also classifies Scorpio Tankers Inc (STNG) as a high-quality Energy stock today, presenting a Score of 68. The stock has strong fundamentals in terms of profitability, performance, financial strength, and Piotroski Score. The growth, stock sentiment, and forecast are neutral.

Another stock in the category, Imperial Oil Ltd (IMO) has the ST Score of 66, which means that the stock carries the potential for higher returns. The stock is strong in profitability, performance, financial strength, and Piotroski Score. Growth, stock sentiment, and forecasts suggest a neutral outlook.

National Presto Industries, Inc (NPK) stock has the ST Score of 6.5, which implies that the Energy company has a high probability of beating the market. The stock's strengths lie in its profitability, performance, and financial strength. However, it shows neutral outlook in growth, stock sentiment, Piotroski Score, and forecast.

Imperial Petroleum Inc (IMPP) currently has the ST Score of 63, which signifies a huge upward potential. The Energy stock's strong points are its profitability, performance, growth, and financial strength. The stock's stock sentiment, Piotroski Score, and forecast indicate a neutral outlook.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading. Good luck out there!

Best Regards,

Stocks Telegraph Team

P.S. Want my daily watchlists sent to your cell phone too? Join our WhatsApp Exclusive Community for real-time alerts on hot stocks. Stay ahead with instant updates and exclusive insights!