12.09.202520:05:27UTC+00Nasdaq 100 Hits Another Record

On Friday, U.S. stock markets showed a mixed performance, with the S&P 500 ending marginally below its opening level, while the Dow Jones declined by 273 points, and the Nasdaq 100 reached new highs. Investors viewed the combination of muted job growth and low inflation as indications that the Federal Reserve might reduce interest rates in the upcoming week. The Nasdaq climbed by 0.4%, largely driven by a significant 7.4% increase in Tesla shares and a 1.7% rise in Microsoft, following the company's avoidance of a potential antitrust penalty from the European Union. This bolstered the broader technology sector. Stocks in the technology and consumer discretionary sectors led the market, whereas those in materials and healthcare underperformed. Market participants are predominantly anticipating a 25-basis-point reduction in rates at the Federal Reserve's meeting on September 17, though there remains a slight possibility of a more substantial half-point cut, considering the present economic indicators. Over the week, the S&P 500 experienced a 1.6% increase, achieving its most robust weekly performance since early August; the Nasdaq gained 2%, and the Dow improved by 1.1%, marking its first weekly advance in three weeks.