U.S. stocks end higher, ending four-week losing streak

U.S. stocks closed slightly higher on Friday, ending a four-week losing streak. The S&P 500 increased by 0.1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained 0.1%. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.5%. Even with this positive day, the S&P 500 is still down 4.8% for March. Technology stocks helped lift the market, recovering from earlier declines. Apple shares rose around 2%, and Microsoft gained 1.1%. However, Nvidia fell 0.7%, and Micron Technology saw a sharper decline of 8%. The stock market has faced uncertainty recently due to concerns about the U.S. economy. A trade war and rising inflation could harm consumers and businesses. President Trump has set an April 2 deadline for new tariffs, which adds to investor anxiety. Market strategist Mark Hackett noted that while there is confusion, panic is lessening. Several companies issued warnings about their profits due to factors like tariffs and inflation. Nike’s stock dropped 5.5% after it predicted lower revenue. FedEx saw a 6.4% decline in its shares due to disappointing profit projections. Housing company Lennar fell 4% because of a weaker sales forecast. The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady this week while evaluating the impact of tariffs. Although there are signs of a strong economy, consumers are becoming more cautious. Fed Chair Jerome Powell mentioned that uncertainty complicates economic predictions, with market strategist Sam Stovall indicating we may remain in this uncertain state until after April 2. In the bond market, Treasury yields stayed mostly unchanged. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose slightly to 4.25%. Airlines faced challenges due to a fire at London’s Heathrow Airport, while Boeing’s shares increased 3.1% after receiving government support for future projects. Overall, the S&P 500 rose 4.67 points, closing at 5,667.56. The Dow gained 32.03 points to finish at 41,985.35, and the Nasdaq rose 92.43 points to 17,784.05. European markets experienced losses, with the FTSE 100 down 0.6% and Germany’s DAX down 0.5%.