U.S. stocks on Friday were mixed at the end of what has been a chaotic week for markets. A post-earnings slide in Netflix (NFLX) pulled down the technology sector, while geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel kept investors on edge.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (COMP:IND) shed 1.68% to 15,339.11 points in mid-day trade, dragged down by a ~9% slump in Netflix (NFLX). Wall Street reacted negatively to the streaming giant’s decision to phase out its reporting of subscriber numbers entirely.
The S&P 500 (SP500) broke through a key resistance level at 5,000 points for the first time since late February. It was last down 0.75% to 4,973.68 points. The benchmark index has retreated nearly 5% from its record closing high notched on March 28, primarily due to stronger-than-expected economic data, hawkish Fedspeak and a recalibration of interest rate cut expectations.
The Dow (DJI) bucked the trend, climbing 0.34% to 37,903.22 points. The blue-chip gauge was helped by a rise in American Express (AXP). The credit card issuer reported soft quarterly payments volume across its network, but beat profit estimates.
“Yet another intraday sell-off, this would be an entire week of open to close declines,” Bespoke Investment Group noted on X (formerly Twitter).
Of the 11 S&P sectors, six were in the green.
For the week, the Nasdaq (COMP:IND) was down 5.17%, the S&P (SP500) was down 2.92% and the Dow (DJI) was down 0.21%.
“Robust retail sales data were the main story on the U.S. economic data front this week. Elsewhere, data for industrial production and jobless claims offered additional evidence that the U.S. economy remains on solid footing,” Wells Fargo said.
Other major names to report quarterly numbers on Friday included Procter & Gamble (PG) – the owner of popular consumer brands such as Gillette, Pampers, Tide and Ariel – and the world’s biggest oilfield services and equipment provider SLB (SLB), formerly known as Schlumberger.
U.S. Treasury yields followed global peers lower, as traders across markets snapped up bonds following fresh developments between Israel and Iran. According to media reports, Israel launched missiles on Friday in a retaliatory strike against Iran, which hit Israel with an airborne operation last weekend. As per the latest reports, Tehran indicated that it had no plans to respond.
“Recent tension between Israel and Iran shows that finding a steady state in the Israel-Hamas war remains elusive. We continue to believe military conflict will remain contained and not expand into Tehran or the broader Middle East,” Wells Fargo added.
The longer-end 30-year (US30Y) and 10-year yields (US10Y) were both down 2 basis points each at 4.71% and 4.62%, respectively. The shorter-end more rate-sensitive 2-year yield (US2Y) was down 2 basis points to 4.98%.
See live data on how Treasury yields are doing across the curve at the Seeking Alpha bond page.
Among other active movers on Friday, Super Micro Computer (SMCI) slumped and was the top percentage loser on the S&P 500 (SP500). The maker of artificial intelligence servers did not provide any preliminary figures along with its earnings announcement like it usually does.
Paramount Global (PARA) (PARAA) was the top S&P percentage gainer, following a report that Sony Picture Entertainment (SONY) had joined the fray over acquiring the iconic film studio.
