Dow Jones DJIA and S&P Close Week at Records as Stock Markets Ignore Shutdown
Despite the continued political stalemate, U.S. stocks demonstrated unexpected tenacity, as the Dow Jones and S&P 500 ended the week...
Quick overview
- U.S. stocks demonstrated resilience as the Dow Jones and S&P 500 closed the week at record highs despite a government shutdown.
- The government shutdown entered its third day with no resolution, yet investor sentiment remained steady, focusing on corporate earnings.
- Healthcare stocks led the week with a 6.82% gain, while energy stocks fell by 3.34% due to declining oil prices.
- Overall, the market's performance indicates cautious optimism among investors regarding the economic outlook.
Live DOW Chart
Despite the continued political stalemate, U.S. stocks demonstrated unexpected tenacity, as the Dow Jones and S&P 500 ended the week strongly.
Shutdown Stalemate Continues
The U.S. government entered its third day of shutdown with no resolution in sight. Senators left Washington for the weekend and are not expected to return until Monday, prolonging uncertainty for federal workers and markets alike. Yet, investor sentiment remained remarkably steady, reflecting a focus on corporate earnings and economic indicators rather than political headlines.
Markets End Week on a Positive Note
Despite the tense backdrop in Washington, both the DOW Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 closed at record highs on Friday. The S&P barely scraped by with a gain of 0.44 points (0.01%), enough to notch another all-time high.
Dow Jones Chart Weekly – The March Continues
Meanwhile, the NASDAQ Composite slipped slightly, retreating after setting a record in the previous session. For the week as a whole, all major indices posted solid gains, signaling broad investor confidence heading into the new month.
Friday’s Closing Snapshot for Main US Stock Indices
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Gained +238.56 points (+0.51%) to finish at 46,758.28, extending its recent upward momentum.
- S&P 500: Edged up by a marginal +0.44 points (+0.01%) to close at 6,715.79, essentially flat but managing to hold its ground at record levels.
- NASDAQ Composite: Pulled back by -63.54 points (-0.28%) to settle at 22,780.51, snapping its streak of recent gains as some profit-taking hit big tech.
- Russell 2000: Outperformed with a rise of +17.69 points (+0.72%), closing at 2,476.17, reflecting renewed optimism for small- and mid-cap stocks.
Weekly Performance Overview
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Posted a +1.10% weekly gain, supported by cyclical sectors and resilient economic data.
- S&P 500: Climbed +1.09% for the week, driven by broad-based buying across defensive and growth stocks.
- NASDAQ Composite: Advanced +1.32% for the week, powered by strength in semiconductor and software names despite Friday’s dip.
- Russell 2000: Led the pack with an impressive +1.72% weekly rise, signaling strong investor confidence in domestic-oriented companies.
Sector Winners and Losers
The week was especially strong for healthcare stocks, with the S&P healthcare sector climbing 6.82%—its best performance since June 2022. Technology stocks also posted healthy gains of 2.25%, while utilities advanced 2.39%, as investors rotated into defensive and growth-oriented plays.
However, not all sectors benefited. Energy stocks fell by 3.34%, weighed down by sliding oil prices and demand concerns. Communication services declined 2.10%, while consumer discretionary stocks slipped 0.81%, reflecting a more cautious outlook for these industries.
A Cautiously Optimistic Market
The market’s ability to post weekly gains despite the political impasse suggests that investors remain optimistic about the broader economic and earnings outlook. While some sectors faced pressure, leadership in healthcare and tech underscored continued appetite for growth opportunities.
Dow Jones Live Chart
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