US stocks jumped on Friday amid a tech stock revival, as investors assessed every week of key data and earnings reports and eyed likely policy shifts under a Trump administration.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained 1.1% while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 1.2%, coming off a losing day for the foremost gauges. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) placed on over 1.7% as Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA) shares nudged back into the green.
Markets have turned upbeat as investors take stock of recent days’ big bank earnings and inflation readings, which have resuscitated bets on interest-rate cuts. Stocks are on target for giant weekly wins after a significant rally on Wednesday, while the 10-year Treasury yield (^TNX) pulled back to trade around 4.6% on Friday.
As of 1:52:10 PM EST. Market Open.
^DJI ^IXIC ^GSPC
Housing starts climbed faster than forecast in December, and US industrial production outstripped estimates. The information out Friday added to an image of strength within the US economy, buoying rate optimism.
Meanwhile, techs were staging a comeback, with Apple (AAPL) fill up 0.7% in afternoon trading after booking its worst loss since August. Chipmakers akin to Micron (MU) joined Nvidia in making gains, while Coinbase (COIN) was amongst crypto-linked names getting a lift as bitcoin (BTC-USD) continued its advance above $100,000.
Minds are also on potential policy upheaval on the last day of trading before Donald Trump begins his second term as president. Fears are that his plans for tariffs, taxes, and debt — as aired by Treasury pick Scott Bessent on Thursday — could inflame inflation. Inauguration day is Monday, when markets will likely be closed to mark the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
China’s economy, an adversary for Trump, grew greater than expected last 12 months, topping Beijing’s 5% goal after a stimulus blitz. But Asia stocks lost ground on Friday as investors weigh the potential hit from promised hefty tariffs.
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