Market Highlights

A renewed wave of dip buying fueled a rebound in stocks, with traders looking past the US credit downgrade by Moody’s Ratings that had earlier sent bond yields jumping. The dollar fell. After a morning slide that topped 1%, the S&P 500 rose for a sixth straight day to close on the brink of a bull market. Several Wall Street strategists said any pullback could be a buying opportunity amid momentum fueled by the recent easing of global trade tensions. Treasuries also bounced across the curve, following a selloff that briefly drove 30-year yields above 5%.

Stocks dropped in late hours and bond yields climbed after the US was downgraded by Moody’s Ratings amid concerns about the increase in government debt that threatens America’s status as the world’s safe haven. The $606 billion SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust tracking the equity benchmark fell about 1% after the close of regular trading. Treasury futures slid to session lows after the Moody’s statement, with the market notching its third straight week of losses — the longest slide this year.

Wall Street traders sent bond yields lower as stocks bounced after tame inflation data combined with lackluster readings on retail sales and manufacturing bolstered the case for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. The S&P 500 was little changed. The Nasdaq 100 slid 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average wavered. UnitedHealth Group Inc. sank 15% on a report it was under criminal investigation for possible Medicare fraud. Foot Locker Inc. soared 85% as Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. reached a $2.4 billion deal to acquire the retailer.

Wall Street’s epic rebound from April’s meltdown is showing signs of exhaustion on speculation stocks have run too fast amid risks stemming from a trade war to an economic slowdown and sticky inflation. After a 22% jump from last month’s intraday lows, the S&P 500 edged up just 0.1%. Most sectors fell, but big tech climbed. Boeing Co. gained on its largest-ever deal, with Qatar Airways placing an order for long-range jets during a visit to Doha by Donald Trump. The dollar erased losses as Bloomberg News reported the US is not working to include currency policy pledges in trade accords. Bond yields rose as Federal Reserve rate-cut bets receded.

A rally in the world’s largest technology companies wiped out the stock market’s losses for the year on bets tensions around Donald Trump’s trade war are cooling, with inflation data showing limited impacts thus far. Equities climbed to the highest since February, the month that marked the S&P 500’s all-time high. The gauge was up almost 1%, with chipmakers leading the charge as Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. will supply semiconductors to Saudi Arabian firmHumain for a massive data- center project. Treasuries erased gains on speculation the Federal Reserve will stay put as it evaluates potential implications of tariffs. The dollar fell.

Wall Street’s bets that the US-China trade truce marked the end to an all-out tariff war drove the S&P 500 up over 3%, while sinking defensive corners of the market from bonds to gold and haven currencies. The dollar climbed the most since its November post-election rally. The rebound in risk appetite and diminished expectations of a recession drove the stock benchmark above President Donald Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” level. A surge in big techs put the Nasdaq 100 back into a bull market just about a month after it plunged 20% from a previous record. Amid a potential reset in inflation expectations, Treasury yields climbed as traders lowered their Federal Reserve wagers to just two rate cuts in 2025

Wall Street ended the week on a more cautious note, with stocks and bonds fluctuatingas the world’s two largest economies get ready to kickstart their trade negotiations. Investors refrained from making riskier bets on speculation that while discussions between Chinese and American officials could represent a diplomatic icebreaker, a comprehensive commitment would only come to fruition after several rounds of talks. Following a rapid $6 trillion surge in the S&P 500 from the brink of a bear market, action has been more muted in recent days. The gauge closed little changed on Friday.

Wall Street’s risk-on mood prevailed on Thursday, with stocks up and bonds down as Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the UK while noting that if China talks go well, tariffs could be lowered. Equities also gained after the president said investors should buy shares now. For a market hoping for an easing of tensions between the US and its top commercial partners, that was enough to boost the S&P 500 - with the gauge briefly topping its April 2 high before the advance subsided. While most major industries rose, gains were led by economically-sensitive sectors. Bitcoin surpassed $100,000. As the safety bid ebbed, gold and haven currencies fell. Treasury yields surged as traders pared bets on interest rate cuts

Assurances by Jerome Powell that the economy remains sound and the Federal Reserve won’t be forced into rash action by Donald Trump’s trade war bolstered markets, lifting stocks, bonds and the dollar. Equities were also aided by prospects for looser rules on chip exports. While warning that risks are growing of higher inflation and slowing growth, Powell calmed investors after the Federal Open Market Committee left interest rates unchanged. The S&P 500 halted a two-day slide, led by chipmakers as Bloomberg News reported that the Trump administration plans to rescind Biden-era curbs for the industry. Swap traders kept betting on at least three Fed reductions in the remainder of 2025.

Wall Street’s risk-off mode prevailed in the run-up to the Federal Reserve decision, with stocks falling and bonds rising as President Donald Trump’s tariff remarks failed to ease worries that his trade war will cause economic damage. After almost wiping out losses, the S&P 500 closed with a drop of nearly 1%. Trump said he would prescribe tariff levels and concessions for partners looking to avoid higher duties, appearing to move away from the idea that he would engage in back-and-forth negotiations. Trade jitters spurred gains in Treasuries, which also climbed after a solid $42 billion sale of 10-year bonds.