US markets end higher on Friday

18 Jan 2025 Evaluate

The US markets ended higher on Friday with the Dow ending the day at its best closing level in a month. Traders took some encouragement from the recent decrease by treasury yields even though the yield on the benchmark ten-year note recovered from an early slump to end the day roughly flat. The recent retreat by treasury yields came as the U.S. inflation data released over the past few days led to renewed optimism about the outlook for interest rates. Adding to the interest rate optimism, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller reportedly told the central bank could lower interest rates multiple times this year if inflation eases as he is expecting. 

The strength on Wall Street may also have reflected optimism about the outlook for the markets under President-elect Donald Trump, who is due to be sworn in for the second time on Monday. On the economic data front, the Federal Reserve released a report showing industrial production increased by much more than expected in the month of December. The Fed said industrial production jumped by 0.9 percent in December after rising by a revised 0.2 percent in November. Street had expected industrial production to climb by 0.3 percent compared to the 0.1 percent dip originally reported for the previous month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 334.70 points or 0.78 percent to 43,487.83, Nasdaq rose 291.91 points or 1.51 percent to 19,630.20 and S&P 500 was up by 59.32 points or 1.00 percent to 5,996.66.


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

×