Major United States benchmark averages finished mixed on Friday (Saturday AEDT), pausing after a strong performance earlier in the week as investors assessed trade developments and inflation data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 165.4 points or 0.4%, closing at 44,546.1. The S&P 500 finished flat at 6,114.6, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.4% to finish at 20,026.8.
Despite the mixed session, all three major indices recorded gains for the week. The S&P 500 climbed 1.5%, the Dow rose 0.6%, and the Nasdaq outperformed with a 2.6% increase.
Market sentiment improved after more clarity on President Donald Trump’s tariff plans, alongside inflation data that proved more favourable than initially expected.
Investors largely dismissed January’s retail sales report, which showed a 0.9% decline, significantly worse than the 0.2% drop anticipated by economists.
However, traders found relief in inflation reports released earlier in the week. The producer price index (PPI) and consumer price index (CPI) suggested a softer outlook for inflation, reinforcing expectations for a moderate reading in the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, due later this month.
On the bond markets, 10-year and 2-year Treasury yields fell 1.2% and 1.1% to 4.478% and 4.261%, respectively.
