Dow Leads on Friday, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Record Close, Shaking Off Tariff Worries
US equity markets closed out the week with impressive gains, with Dow Jones and Nasdaq up by 4%, overcoming tariff-related volatility to...
Quick overview
- US equity markets ended the week with significant gains, with the Dow Jones and Nasdaq both rising by 4%.
- Despite trade-related volatility, major indices confirmed bullish breakouts and achieved record weekly finishes.
- The Dow Jones closed up 1%, marking its best week since April and reinforcing a broader bullish trend.
- While some meme stocks experienced volatility, overall investor sentiment remained positive due to strong earnings and economic data.
Live DOW Chart
US equity markets closed out the week with impressive gains, with Dow Jones and Nasdaq up by 4%, overcoming tariff-related volatility to confirm bullish breakouts and record weekly finishes for major indices.
Markets End Week Strong Despite Trade Uncertainty
US stock markets capped off an eventful week on a high note, with major indices posting robust gains that reflected ongoing investor optimism and confidence in the economic outlook. Technology, industrials, and financials led the charge, helping the S&P500 and Nasdaq to finish at record weekly closes. The DOW Jones also confirmed a key technical breakout, reinforcing the broader bull trend that has been unfolding in 2025.
Despite these bullish signals, Friday’s trading session delivered a dose of drama that reminded traders of the market’s sensitivity to trade headlines. Strong buying activity had pushed indices higher early in the day, with momentum suggesting an easy path to new all-time highs. However, sentiment was rattled after President Trump unexpectedly tweeted that trade negotiations with Canada were being abandoned, triggering fresh tariff fears. The S&P 500 tumbled over 40 points at one stage, briefly slipping into negative territory as selling accelerated.
Dow Jones Chart Weekly – Heading to Record Highs
Even with that intraday volatility, buyers quickly regrouped. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Friday up 1%, capping its best week since April’s reversal around tariff fears with a total gain of more than 4%. This performance confirmed a bullish breakout above the 20-week simple moving average (SMA), a technical level that had capped recent rallies. The move puts the Dow back on track toward testing record highs, with traders appearing more comfortable with the underlying economic data and corporate earnings trends.
Meme Stocks Mixed, But Broader Bull Trend Intact
Friday’s trading also showcased the speculative edge that still lingers in pockets of the market. Meme favorites saw more uneven action, with Palantir’s sharp 9.4% drop standing out as a reminder of the sector’s volatility. Yet these isolated sell-offs failed to dent broader confidence. Investors remain focused on the prospects of continued earnings growth, robust consumer demand, and stabilizing inflation that may give the Federal Reserve room to maintain a supportive policy stance.
Closing Levels and Daily Moves for Main US Stock Indices:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: Closed at 43,819.27 points, gaining +432.43 points (+1.00%).
Led major averages thanks to strength in industrials and financials, breaking decisively above recent resistance levels.
S&P 500: Closed at 6,173.07 points, up +32.05 points (+0.52%).
- The broad benchmark continued its upward push, buoyed by strong tech and consumer discretionary sectors.
Nasdaq Composite: Ended at 20,273.46 points, rising +105.54 points (+0.52%).
- Maintained momentum as AI-related and high-growth names kept attracting buyers.
Russell 2000: Finished at 2,172.53 points, up just +0.42 points (+0.019%).
- Small caps lagged but still held above support levels, signaling cautious optimism about domestic growth.
Toronto TSX Composite Index: Settled at 26,692.32 points, down −59.63 points (−0.22%).
- Bucked the trend as energy and materials faced profit-taking after recent commodity rallies.
Record Weekly Closes for S&P 500 and Nasdaq
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also demonstrated remarkable resilience. Both indices managed to recover from intraday weakness to secure record weekly closes, underscoring the strength of investor demand for technology and growth-oriented stocks. While profit-taking and valuation questions remain in pockets of the market—highlighted by meme names like Palantir, which fell 9.4% after a late-session slump—overall sentiment remains constructive.
Weekly Performance:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: +3.89% for the week.
- Best weekly showing in months, signaling renewed investor confidence in blue chips and cyclical names.
S&P 500: +3.4% on the week.
- Extended its winning streak and flirted with record highs amid solid earnings and economic resilience.
Nasdaq Composite: +4.2% weekly gain.
- Tech-heavy index outperformed as AI and semiconductors continued to drive bullish sentiment.
Russell 2000: +2.9% over the week.
- Benefited from rotation into value and smaller growth stocks, although gains were more measured.
Toronto TSX Composite: +0.6% for the week.
- Posted a modest increase, weighed down by sectoral divergence within resources and financials.
Conclusion: Despite headline risk and pockets of profit-taking, the week closed with strong, broad-based gains across major US indices. The Dow’s breakout above its 20-week moving average confirms bullish momentum, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq continue to set the pace with record weekly closes. As traders look ahead, the market appears to be betting that economic resilience and strong corporate results will outweigh geopolitical uncertainty, keeping the broader bull trend very much alive.
Dow Jones Live Chart
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