Fact check: How has the stock market performed in September 2025

1. Summary of the results

The stock market has performed well in September 2025, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new highs ^[1]. The market's positive performance can be attributed to the expectation of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve ^{[1] [2]}. Additionally, Oracle's strong earnings report and positive forecast have contributed to the market's gains ^[1]. The Morningstar US Market Index rose 2.15% in August, driven by a broadening across undervalued areas in the market, with small-cap and value stocks outperforming ^[2]. The key sectors that offer the best value include communications, real estate, energy, and healthcare ^[2]. The market is closely watching economic data, including the consumer price index, to determine the likelihood of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve ^{[3] [4]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some analyses suggest that the stock market has been volatile, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average experiencing ups and downs ^[3]. The yield on the 10-year Treasury has fallen to its lowest level since early April, indicating a potential rate cut ^[3]. However, the market's expectation of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve may not be universally accepted, and some sources may have different opinions on the matter ^[4]. The Consumer Price Index report is expected to show that prices rose by 2.9% over the past 12 months, which may impact the market's expectations ^[4]. Furthermore, the US equity market is trading at a level equal to Morningstar's fair value estimates, which may indicate that the market is fairly valued ^[2]. The benefits of the market's performance may be skewed towards certain sectors, such as technology, with Oracle's strong earnings report contributing to the market's gains ^[1]. Investors in small-cap and value stocks may also benefit from the market's broadening across undervalued areas ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement asks how the stock market has performed in September 2025, without providing any context or specifying which indices or sectors are being referred to ^[1]. This lack of specificity may lead to misinformation or bias, as different sources may have different opinions on the market's performance. Some sources may be more optimistic about the market's performance, citing the expectation of a rate cut from the Federal Reserve and Oracle's strong earnings report ^[1]. Others may be more cautious, citing the market's volatility and the potential impact of economic data on the market's expectations ^{[3] [4]}. The sources that benefit from a positive market outlook, such as CNBC and Investopedia, may be more likely to report on the market's gains and the expectation of a rate cut ^[1]. On the other hand, sources that benefit from a more cautious approach, such as Morningstar, may be more likely to report on the market's volatility and the potential risks associated with investing in the stock market ^[2].