Stocks End the Week with Gains Amid Global Trade Uncertainty

The stock market closed the week on a positive note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite achieving notable gains despite lingering concerns over global trade tensions. While these indices showed resilience, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged behind with a slight decline.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq Gain, Dow Struggles

The S&P 500 rose by 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.9%. In contrast, the Dow Jones recorded a modest drop of 47 points, or 0.1%, underscoring the mixed performance across major U.S. stock indices.

Alphabet’s Earnings Boost Investor Confidence

One factor driving optimism in the market was Alphabet’s strong first-quarter earnings report. The parent company of Google exceeded expectations with revenue reaching $90.23 billion and earnings per share (EPS) at $2.81. Analysts had anticipated revenue of $89.12 billion and EPS of $2.01, making the results a significant positive signal for investors.

Tesla’s Surge and Regulatory Updates

Tesla stocks jumped nearly 10% during the week, supported by investor sentiment following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement to step away from his DOGE-related role at the U.S. government. Additionally, new self-driving car regulations released by the Department of Transportation appeared to favor Tesla’s innovative technology, further bolstering its market performance.

Weekly Stock Market Performance

Overall, the S&P 500 climbed more than 4% for the week, while the Nasdaq Composite soared by over 6%. Though the Dow Jones lagged its counterparts, it still managed a 2% weekly gain, demonstrating moderate progress.

Bitcoin’s Best Week Since November

Bitcoin also experienced a strong performance, rising by 1.1% and marking its best week since November. Investors are closely watching the cryptocurrency as it edges closer to retesting the $100,000 level, a key milestone that could signal greater momentum in the digital asset market.

Navigating Trade Volatility

Despite the gains, global trade uncertainty continues to weigh on investor sentiment. Conflicting statements from U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese officials have left little clarity on the future of trade relations. Throughout the week, Trump alternated between discussing potential trade deals and reinforcing tariff threats, adding to the volatility in financial markets.

As investors monitor developments in both the stock and cryptocurrency markets, staying informed about key earnings reports, regulatory changes, and geopolitical factors will be essential for making well-informed financial decisions.

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