U.S. equities closed slightly lower last week as a barrage of political and policy developments unsettled investors, prompting profit-taking across major indices, including SPX, DJIA, and QQQ.
- S&P 500 (SPX) closed at 5,128.43, down 0.31%
- Dow Jones (DJIA) ended at 38,911.72, down 0.27%
- Nasdaq (QQQ) closed at 16,345.18, down 0.19%
- SPX volume exceeded 8.9 billion shares
- VIX rose 4.2% to 16.89
- Market breadth favored decliners with 1,724 vs. 1,642 advancers on NYSE
Major U.S. stock indices ended the week with modest declines, reflecting investor caution amid a surge of political and regulatory news. The S&P 500 (SPX) finished at 5,128.43, down 0.31%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed at 38,911.72, down 0.27%. The Nasdaq Composite (QQQ) edged lower to 16,345.18, a 0.19% loss, pressured by tech sector volatility despite strong earnings from several large-cap names. The week’s market action was driven by a confluence of developments, including new legislative proposals affecting tech regulation, revised fiscal policy signals, and commentary from federal agencies impacting financial and healthcare sectors. Investors reacted to the uncertainty by trimming positions in high-growth technology stocks and increasing defensive allocations, particularly in healthcare and consumer staples. Despite the pullback, trading volumes remained elevated, with SPX registering over 8.9 billion shares traded, indicating active market participation. Market breadth was mixed, with 1,642 issues advancing versus 1,724 declining on the NYSE. The VIX index rose 4.2% to 16.89, signaling heightened volatility expectations. The combination of profit-taking and macro uncertainty has shifted sentiment from bullish to cautious. Financials and healthcare sectors saw moderate outflows, while tech remained under pressure due to regulatory scrutiny. Market participants are now turning attention to upcoming inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting for directional cues.