22/03/2025
**U.S. Market Update: Stocks Close Higher on Friday**
Investing.com – The U.S. stock market wrapped up the trading session on a positive note this past Friday, with notable gains in the Technology, Consumer Goods, and Telecom sectors driving the indices higher.
At the close on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a modest increase of 0.08%, while the S&P 500 mirrored this performance with a similar gain of 0.08%. The NASDAQ Composite outperformed, climbing 0.52% as tech stocks continued to attract investor interest.
**Key Performers:**
Among the top gainers on the Dow Jones, Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) stood out, rising 3.06% or 5.28 points to finish at 178.11. Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) also had a strong session, adding 1.95% or 4.17 points to close at 218.27. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) rounded out the top performers, increasing by 1.10% or 4.25 points to 391.09.
In the S&P 500, Super Micro Computer Inc (NASDAQ:SMCI) led the charge with a remarkable 7.75% increase to 42.13. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) followed closely, up 5.27% to settle at 248.71, while Palantir Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:PLTR) gained 4.09% to close at 90.96.
The NASDAQ Composite featured impressive gains from Singularity Future Technology Ltd (NASDAQ:SGLY), which skyrocketed 143.44% to 1.68, and VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ:VVPR), which rose 52.14% to 1.29. Galecto Inc (NASDAQ:GLTO) also performed well, gaining 45.58% to close at 6.10.
**Underperformers:**
On the flip side, Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) faced significant losses, dropping 5.46% or 3.92 points to close at 67.94, marking a three-year low. Merck & Company Inc (NYSE:MRK) declined 1.71% to end at 93.11, while Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) was down 1.52% to 68.65.
The S&P 500's worst performers included Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU), which fell 8.04% to 94.72, and FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX), which lost 6.45% to settle at 230.33, hitting a 52-week low. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) also struggled, down 5.79% to 439.70.
In the NASDAQ Composite, LQR House Inc (NASDAQ:YHC) plummeted 82.38% to 0.40, while Damon Inc (NASDAQ:DMN) fell 70.28% to 0.04, both reaching all-time lows. TC BioPharm Holdings PLC (NASDAQ:TCBP) also saw a sharp decline, down 67.53% to 0.50.
**Market Breadth:**
Overall, market breadth was negative, with declining stocks outnumbering advancers on the NYSE by 1,774 to 967, and 100 remaining unchanged. On the NASDAQ, 1,857 stocks fell compared to 1,416 that advanced, with 131 unchanged.
**Volatility and Commodities:**
The CBOE Volatility Index, which measures the implied volatility of S&P 500 options, decreased by 2.63% to 19.28, indicating a slight easing in market anxiety. In commodities, Gold Futures for April delivery fell 0.49% to $3,028.89 per troy ounce. Crude oil prices saw a modest increase, with May contracts rising 0.29% to $68.27 a barrel, while Brent oil rose 0.18% to $72.13.
In the currency markets, the EUR/USD remained stable at 1.08, while the USD/JPY rose 0.36% to 149.33. The U.S. Dollar Index Futures increased by 0.29% to 103.80.
As the market closed, investors remained cautiously optimistic, reflecting a complex interplay of sector performances and economic indicators.