U.S. stock indices extended their gains on Friday, boosted by a rise in consumer confidence in the United States to its highest level since April, alongside a decrease in inflation expectations for the coming year to their lowest since December 2020.
At the close of trading, the Dow Jones climbed by 0.6%, or 259 points, to a record close of 43,988 points, marking a weekly gain of 4.6% after surpassing the 44,000-point mark for the first time. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 rose by 0.4%, or 22 points, to 5,995 points, its highest level ever, achieving a weekly gain of 4.65% after breaking the 6,000-point threshold for the first time. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.1%, or 17 points, to end the session at a record close of 19,286 points, rising by approximately 5.75% since the start of the week.