The U.S. stock markets concluded Friday’s trading session on a positive note, with gains observed in the Technology, Utilities, and Industrials sectors, driving the overall market performance.
At the closing bell on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded a notable increase of 0.87%, while the S&P 500 index surged by 1.18%, and the NASDAQ Composite index climbed by 1.60%.
Among the top performers within the Dow Jones Industrial Average were Salesforce Inc (NYSE: CRM), which witnessed a rise of 2.63% or 5.31 points, closing at 207.32. Meanwhile, Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) added 2.60% or 2.10 points, concluding the day at 82.91, and Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ: HON) showed an increase of 2.58% or 4.64 points, closing at 184.66 in the late trade.
Conversely, the worst-performing stocks in the session included Walmart Inc (NYSE: WMT), which experienced a decline of 1.73% or 2.75 points, ending the day at 156.33. Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (NASDAQ: WBA) dropped 1.67% or 0.37 points to settle at 21.81, and McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) was down 1.63% or 4.11 points, closing at 248.12.
The S&P 500 also had its share of top performers, with Pioneer Natural Resources Co (NYSE: PXD) leading the pack with a remarkable increase of 10.42% to 237.35. MarketAxess Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: MKTX) followed closely with a gain of 5.82% to settle at 238.73, and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) recorded a 4.89% increase, closing at 36.49.
On the flip side, Domino’s Pizza Inc (NYSE: DPZ) faced a decline of 5.95%, settling at 341.60 during late trade. Church & Dwight Company Inc (NYSE: CHD) also showed a loss of 4.70%, closing at 85.99, while Lamb Weston Holdings Inc (NYSE: LW) closed down 4.39% at 93.46.
In the NASDAQ Composite, notable gainers included Parazero Technologies Ltd Unit (NASDAQ: PRZO) with a remarkable 79.12% increase, closing at 1.16, T2 Biosystems Inc (NASDAQ: TTOO) with a gain of 35.67%, settling at 0.26, and Vaccinex Inc (NASDAQ: VCNX) that experienced a 34.11% increase, concluding the day at 1.10.
On the downside, VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR) witnessed a substantial decline of 47.52%, falling to 1.68 in late trade. Omniq Corp (NASDAQ: OMQS) registered a loss of 45.86%, settling at 0.85, and Jin Medical International Ltd (NASDAQ: ZJYL) closed down 41.08% at 13.77 by the market’s close.
The New York Stock Exchange reported 1960 advancing stocks, 955 declining stocks, and 67 stocks remaining unchanged, reflecting a positive market sentiment. Meanwhile, on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, 2158 stocks advanced, 1295 stocks declined, and 126 stocks remained unchanged.
Noteworthy market movements included VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR) reaching its 52-week highs with a decline of 47.52% or 1.52 to 1.68. Conversely, Omniq Corp (NASDAQ: OMQS) hit 5-year lows, losing 45.86% or 0.72 to 0.85.
The CBOE Volatility Index, measuring the implied volatility of S&P 500 options, decreased by 5.62% to 17.45.
In commodities trading, Gold Futures for December delivery saw a 0.66% increase, adding 12.10 points to reach $1,843.90 per troy ounce. Crude oil for November delivery rose by 0.67% or 0.55, closing at $82.86 a barrel, while the December Brent oil contract increased by 0.48% or 0.40, trading at $84.47 a barrel.
Currency markets saw the EUR/USD exchange rate remain unchanged at 1.06, while USD/JPY rose by 0.56% to 149.32. The US Dollar Index Futures was down 0.19% at 105.86.
