U.S. equities finished mixed on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite extending its advance as geopolitical tensions eased, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged.
The Nasdaq rose 0.28% to close at 23,501.24, supported by gains in major technology names. The Dow slid 285.30 points, or 0.58%, to end at 49,098.71, pressured by a nearly 4% decline in Goldman Sachs shares. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 edged up 0.03% to settle at 6,915.61.
Chipmakers helped lift the broader market, with Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices gaining roughly 1.5% and more than 2%, respectively. Nvidia shares climbed after reports that CEO Jensen Huang plans to visit China in the coming days. Microsoft and other large-cap tech stocks also posted gains.
Intel weighed on sentiment after plunging about 17% following the company’s weak first-quarter outlook.
The three major indexes had rallied for a second straight session on Thursday as investors grew more comfortable with signs of easing trade tensions and reduced geopolitical risk.
Markets began rebounding on Wednesday after President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to impose tariffs on imports from eight European countries — originally set to take effect Feb. 1 — and announced a preliminary framework agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding Greenland. The earlier tariff threat had briefly triggered a “sell America” trade, prompting investors to move away from U.S. assets during the holiday-shortened week.
However, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen later said he was unaware of the details of the proposed framework, emphasizing that any agreement must respect Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite midweek gains that had erased earlier losses, Friday’s pullback pushed the Dow back into negative territory for the week. The Dow fell about 0.5% overall, while the S&P 500 lost roughly 0.4% and the Nasdaq slipped less than 0.1%, marking a second consecutive weekly decline for all three benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Nasdaq outperform while the Dow declined?
The Nasdaq was supported by gains in large-cap tech and chip stocks, while the Dow was dragged lower by losses in financials, particularly Goldman Sachs.
What triggered the recent market rebound midweek?
Markets rebounded after easing geopolitical tensions and President Trump withdrew proposed tariffs on imports from several European nations, reducing near-term trade uncertainty.
Which stocks had the biggest impact on Friday’s session?
Nvidia and AMD lifted the Nasdaq and S&P 500, while Intel plunged sharply after issuing a weak earnings outlook, weighing on overall sentiment.
Why did markets remain volatile despite positive headlines?
Uncertainty around trade negotiations, geopolitical developments, and mixed corporate earnings kept investors cautious, leading to choppy price action.
How did the major indexes perform for the week?
The Dow posted a weekly loss of about 0.5%, the S&P 500 fell roughly 0.4%, and the Nasdaq slipped slightly, marking a second consecutive losing week for all three.
