US markets end higher on Friday

14 Jan 2023 Evaluate

The U.S. markets ended higher on Friday as upbeat consumer sentiment and inflation expectations data helped offset the early negative sentiment. Consumer sentiment in the U.S. has improved much more than expected in the month of January, according to preliminary data released by the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index jumped to 64.6 in January from 59.7 in December. Street had expected the index to inch up to 60.5. With the much bigger than expected increase, the consumer sentiment index reached its highest level since hitting 65.2 in April 2022. The jump by the headline index partly reflected a significant improvement in consumers' assessment of current conditions, with the current economic conditions index surging to 68.6 in January from 59.4 in December.

The index of consumer expectations showed a more modest increase, rising to 62.0 in January from 59.9 in December, as the short-run economic outlook fell modestly but the long-run outlook saw a notable improvement. On the sectoral front, gold stocks moved significantly higher over the course of the session, driving the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index up by 1.3 percent to its best closing level in seven months. The strength among gold stocks came amid a sharp increase by the price of the precious metal, with gold for February delivery jumping $22.90 to $1,921.70 an ounce. Considerable strength also emerged among retail stocks, as reflected by the 1.2 percent gain posted by the Dow Jones U.S. Retail Index. Oil service, tobacco and brokerage stocks also saw some strength on the day, although most of the major sectors showed only modest moves.

Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 112.64 points or 0.33 percent to 34,302.61, Nasdaq rose 78.05 points or 0.71 percent to 11,079.16 and S&P 500 was up by 15.92 points or 0.4 percent to 3,999.09.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×