U.S. stock markets wrapped up the week on a powerful note, with tech stocks driving major gains despite lingering concerns over global trade policy and geopolitical instability. Wall Street showed resilience in the face of uncertainty, as corporate earnings and crypto sector momentum buoyed risk appetite.
The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to finish the week higher, while the Nasdaq Composite posted a robust 0.9% advance, powered by strong tech-sector performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average underperformed relative to its peers, slipping slightly with a 47-point, or 0.1%, decline, dragged down by underwhelming results in industrials and financials.
Investor sentiment was buoyed by impressive earnings from Alphabet. Google’s parent company beat Wall Street’s expectations handily, posting $90.23 billion in revenue and $2.81 in earnings per share. Analysts had projected $89.12 billion and $2.01 per share, respectively. Alphabet’s report provided a welcome catalyst amid broader economic uncertainty.
Tesla added to the bullish tone, soaring nearly 10% after CEO Elon Musk announced he would exit his DOGE-related policy role within the U.S. government. Musk’s refocus on Tesla operations, combined with new Department of Transportation regulations favoring self-driving cars, helped drive the electric vehicle maker’s best weekly performance in months.
Markets Rally; Bitcoin Tests Major Resistance
For the week, the S&P 500 gained over 4%, marking one of the index’s strongest showings of the year, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped by over 6%, continuing its outperformance driven by AI and tech enthusiasm. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also closed the week 2% higher, despite trailing its tech-heavy counterparts.
Bitcoin, meanwhile, delivered its best weekly performance since November, rising 1.6%. The benchmark cryptocurrency is now hovering just below the psychologically important $100,000 mark, as bullish momentum builds across crypto markets fueled by rising institutional inflows and favorable macro conditions.
Even as investors celebrated the week’s gains, risks remained. Markets fluctuated throughout the week as President Trump and Chinese officials delivered mixed messages on trade negotiations. Some investors fear that unexpected tariff escalations could quickly unravel the recent bullish sentiment.
Nevertheless, traders remain optimistic that sustained strong earnings, easing inflationary pressures, and a resilient labor market could provide a supportive backdrop for equities and crypto into the summer.
