US stocks remained little changed on Friday, with the S&P 500 edging close to a fresh record following a week of significant economic updates, tariff hikes, and disappointing retail sales data.
Market Performance
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) hovered near the flatline, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) showed little movement. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) dropped 0.3% following Thursday’s strong gains.
Retail Sales Decline
Retail sales posted their largest monthly decline in a year, falling 0.9% in January—well below the 0.9% expected by analysts. This added to investor concerns, wrapping up a week dominated by inflation data and ongoing interest rate discussions.
Policy Shifts and Market Reactions
Markets took a moment to digest a fast-moving series of policy changes from President Donald Trump, which included:
- New 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
- Ongoing peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
- A review of CHIPS Act terms for semiconductor projects.
Despite the uncertainty, stocks remain on track for solid weekly gains, boosted by Wall Street’s positive reaction to the delay in implementing reciprocal tariffs.
S&P 500 Eyes New Record
The S&P 500 is now within reach of an all-time high, closing just shy of the 6,118.71 record.
Major Stock Movers
- Airbnb (ABNB): Shares surged after the company beat analyst expectations.
- GameStop (GME): Stock popped amid speculation about a potential move into bitcoin.
- Moderna (MRNA): Shares dropped after the company posted a larger-than-expected earnings loss.
As the week comes to a close, investors continue to weigh economic data, policy shifts, and corporate earnings. With the S&P 500 eyeing a record high, attention will remain on upcoming market catalysts, including further inflation updates and potential interest rate moves.