US Stocks Open Flat Amidst Tariffs and Inflation News
US stocks opened relatively unchanged on Friday as investors weighed the implications of a week marked by tariff hikes, inflation updates, and a flurry of retail data and earnings reports.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) and S&P 500 (^GSPC) remained largely unchanged shortly after the opening bell, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained 0.1% following sharp gains on Thursday.
Retail sales posted their steepest monthly decline in a year, falling 0.9% in January, significantly below expectations. The report, released on Friday, capped off a week of key data that focused on inflation, a primary concern following two concerning readings that dampened hopes for interest rate cuts.
Markets are pausing to digest the recent flurry of policy changes from President Donald Trump, including 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, Ukraine peace talks with Russia, and a review of CHIPS Act terms for projects.
Despite the initial stability, stocks are still poised for solid weekly gains, buoyed by Thursday's rally triggered by the delay in implementing reciprocal tariffs. The S&P 500 is now eyeing a fresh all-time high, having recently fallen just short of its 6,118.71 record.
Among the notable stock movements on Friday, Airbnb (ABNB) shares jumped after the travel company exceeded analyst expectations. GameStop (GME) surged amid speculation about a potential move into bitcoin. Moderna (MRNA), on the other hand, posted a larger-than-expected earnings loss, causing its shares to decline.