US Stocks Mixed as Nasdaq Hits Record, Retail Sales Fall
US stocks closed mixed on Friday, with the Nasdaq 100 (^NDX) setting a record high to cap off a busy week marked by tariff announcements, inflation data, and retail sales that fell short of projections. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) declined slightly, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.4% to conclude its best week of 2025. Both indexes gained for a third consecutive week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI), on the other hand, fell almost 0.3%, reversing Thursday's significant gains.
January retail sales recorded their steepest monthly drop in a year, falling 0.9%—substantially lower than the predicted 0.2% decline. The report released on Friday concluded a week of crucial data, with inflation taking center stage after two hot readings tempered hopes for interest rate reductions.
Following this week's whirlwind of policy shifts enacted by President Donald Trump, markets paused. These shifts ranged from 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum to Ukraine-Russia peace talks and a review of the CHIPS Act provisions for projects.
Despite this, stocks are still on track for solid weekly wins, having surged on Thursday as Wall Street welcomed a delay in the implementation of retaliatory tariffs. Meanwhile, Trump informed reporters on Friday that he would introduce new automobile tariffs around April 2.
Among Friday's significant stock movers, Airbnb (ABNB) shares surged after the travel company exceeded analyst forecasts. Amidst speculation that the game retailer would enter the bitcoin market, GameStop (GME) shares rose. Moderna (MRNA) released a greater-than-anticipated earnings loss on Friday, driving down shares of the troubled vaccine maker.
Nasdaq 100 Reaches Record High, S&P 500 Extends Gains
On Friday, the three major averages ended the week with gains as the Nasdaq 100 hit a record high and investors processed a series of tariff updates, as well as inflation and retail sales data. While the S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell just below the flatline, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rose 0.4%, marking its best week of the year. Both indexes continued their gains for a third consecutive week, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) declined 0.4%.
Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), and Meta (META) led Big Tech's gains this week, placing them on track to close the five-day period in positive territory. Nvidia, which announced an adjustment to its equity holdings on Friday, was poised to gain 6% over the past week. Tech titan Apple outperformed the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, gaining over 7% during the previous five trading days.
According to new data released on Friday, retail sales fell more than anticipated in the first month of 2025. The major averages will reopen on Tuesday, as the stock market will be closed on Monday in observance of President's Day.