Top stock market trends – Eli Lilly jumps $105, Hertz explodes 44%, Trump Media rallies again

Which stocks led the US market on April 17, 2025?

The U.S. stock market delivered a patchwork performance on April 17, 2025, but certain stocks stood out with substantial gains, signaling renewed sector-specific optimism despite broader macroeconomic unease. Among the top stock market trends today, shares of Hertz Global Holdings, Eli Lilly and Company, and Trump Media & Technology Group rose sharply, joined by names across biotech, energy, and consumer sectors. The rally came amid ongoing concerns about inflation, shifting trade policy under the current administration, and cautious positioning ahead of potential Federal Reserve rate decisions.

Investor sentiment was mixed as the S&P 500 edged up marginally while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones saw limited movement. The day’s stock market performance reflected a blend of company-specific catalysts, broader policy developments, and ongoing volatility in financial markets, offering critical insights for those watching business news live and tracking the latest business news updates.

Why did Hertz and Avis gain so much?

Hertz Global Holdings surged 44.31% to $8.24, becoming the top gainer among U.S.-listed stocks for the session. The car rental company saw an extraordinary spike in trading volume, exceeding 262 million shares against a three-month average of just 12.6 million. While no material news triggered the spike, analysts attributed the surge to a combination of technical buying pressure, short covering, and increased retail interest. The stock’s 52-week performance turned positive following the move, up 39.66% over the past year.

Avis Budget Group followed suit, gaining 16.37% to close at $84.59. Investors appeared to rotate back into travel-linked discretionary names amid expectations of stronger summer demand. Market participants also highlighted renewed attention to fleet electrification strategies and pricing power in the rental car sector. With both Hertz and Avis making the list of top gainers, these moves added to current stock market trends tied to transportation and tourism rebound stories.

How did Eli Lilly add $105 in one day?

Eli Lilly and Company’s stock soared 14.3% or $105.06 to finish at $839.96, following bullish clinical data for its oral GLP-1 weight-loss drug, orforglipron. The drug demonstrated promising trial outcomes, with investors now viewing it as a key differentiator in the competitive obesity and diabetes market. The news comes at a time when weight-loss treatments continue to drive upside across biotech and pharma, despite growing political scrutiny around drug costs.

With a market cap of $754 billion and a P/E ratio near 72, Eli Lilly’s valuation has become emblematic of investor enthusiasm for high-margin growth in life sciences. This performance made LLY one of the most discussed names in investment news and updates, especially as demand for anti-obesity therapeutics shapes future healthcare trends.

What drove Trump Media and DJTWW warrants?

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. rose 11.65% to $22.04, while its DJTWW warrants climbed 8.75% to $13.30. The stock, still recovering from post-SPAC volatility, benefited from a rise in user engagement on Truth Social and speculation around new monetization models, including potential ad partnerships and premium features. Political momentum around U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term has also kept the stock highly active on retail platforms.

The stock’s price action remains disconnected from traditional valuation models, but its inclusion in the list of top stock market trends today reflects broader themes in media, politics, and retail-driven trading patterns. For those following breaking business news today, DJT continues to serve as a bellwether for high-risk, high-reward speculation in the current equity landscape.

Which healthcare and biotech names saw strong momentum?

Biohaven Ltd. climbed 9.05% to $20.37 on fresh interest in its migraine and neurology pipeline. Summit Therapeutics rose 6.77% to $24.61, extending its 605% year-over-year gain after strategic licensing activity and clinical development milestones. Badger Meter, often associated with smart water metering, gained 9.64% as investors re-evaluated its diversified exposure to healthcare-adjacent infrastructure.

Fidelity National Information Services added 8.65% to close at $74.58, driven by restructuring expectations and a favorable shift in investor positioning toward stable fintech plays. With a market cap of nearly $40 billion and a forward-looking digital payments strategy, FIS is increasingly seen as a long-term recovery candidate despite short-term macro headwinds.

How did consumer and retail stocks perform?

Dollar Tree gained 8.10% to reach $79.14, recovering from recent operational challenges and margin pressure. Five Below added 7.64% to close at $67.51, benefiting from signs of improved footfall and a scaled rollout of new store formats. e.l.f. Beauty, up 5.41% to $52.65, remained a Gen Z favorite with strong direct-to-consumer sales, low-cost viral marketing, and expanding shelf presence in major retail chains.

Wayfair rose 5.85% to $26.61 amid stabilizing trends in e-commerce furniture demand. Analysts cited cost control, improved logistics, and increasing conversion rates as reasons for investor optimism, despite a year-on-year decline of over 50%.

What explains energy and materials sector gains?

Energy stocks were well represented among April 17’s top business stories of the day. Vista Energy rose 6.89%, while Viper Energy added 5.86%, supported by stronger oil prices and declining U.S. inventories. Diamondback Energy jumped 5.70% to $137.64, as traders bet on a resilient U.S. shale output backdrop and stronger downstream profitability.

Northern Oil and Gas advanced 5.49% to $24.19, and Weatherford International rose 5.41% to $46.68, both benefitting from increased demand for upstream services. Celanese Corporation gained 6.82% as investors revisited the chemicals sector in anticipation of a broader industrial recovery later in the year.

Were any telecom or international stocks among the top gainers?

Millicom International Cellular gained 5.87% to $32.45 on the back of continued subscriber growth in Latin America. América Móvil rose 5.91% to $16.13, supported by a strengthening Mexican peso and improved revenue forecasts in Central America. GDS Holdings Limited added 8.32% as China’s tech sector showed signs of recovery amid easing domestic policy conditions and increasing government support for cloud infrastructure.

Rentokil Initial rose 5.68% to $23.08, and Valaris Limited added 5.95% as global demand for pest control and offshore drilling support services remains steady.

What economic and policy risks shaped the backdrop?

April 17’s gains occurred in a broader environment of uncertainty. Inflation data earlier in the week showed prices climbing faster than expected, complicating the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates. Despite no immediate moves, markets remain cautious as the Fed continues to assess the path of inflation and wage growth.

In parallel, President Donald Trump’s administration announced sweeping new tariffs targeting Chinese goods and strategic technologies, stoking concerns of a renewed trade war. These measures, while aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, could add to consumer price pressures and supply chain disruptions, according to several economists.

The European Central Bank’s surprise rate cut only added to global financial market divergence, strengthening the U.S. dollar and impacting multinational earnings expectations.

What are the investment takeaways?

April 17, 2025, highlighted sector-specific opportunities across healthcare, energy, consumer retail, and speculative technology. While inflation and trade policy remain central risks, select companies continue to outperform due to strong fundamentals, clinical breakthroughs, or retail-driven momentum.

With economic concerns still looming, and policy impacts reshaping sector dynamics, many investors are pivoting toward resilience and strategic growth rather than broad market exposure. The day’s top stock market performance reveals a shift in capital flows, aligning with evolving investor behavior and in-depth stock market trends that could define upcoming quarters.