U.S. Stock Market Summary for Friday, January 31, 2025
1. Major Indices Performance: S&P 500 : Declined 0.5%, closing at 6,040.53. Dow Jones Industrial Average : Dropped 0.8%, ending at 44,544.66. Nasdaq Composite : Fell 0.3%, finishing at 19,627.44. Russell 2000 : Decreased 0.9%, closing at 2,287.69. 2. Market Overview: U.S. stocks closed lower as markets reacted to trade policy uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment. The day began with moderate gains supported by strong economic data, but momentum reversed following an announcement that new tariffs on key trading partners would take effect soon. Investors initially welcomed resilient consumer spending and stable employment figures, which fueled a brief rally in the morning session. However, concerns over escalating trade tensions led to a sharp decline in major indices by the afternoon. The S&P 500, which had been up nearly 1% earlier in the day, erased its gains and ended in negative territory. The U.S. dollar strengthened amid rising demand for safe-haven assets, and ...