NEW YORK: Wall Street’s main indexes were higher on Friday after EU officials signalled that a framework trade deal with the US could be signed as soon as this weekend, while Intel tumbled following a disappointing forecast.
At 11:36 a.m. the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 71.91 points, or 0.15%, to 44,762.88, creeping up to the record high it had touched on December 4. The S&P 500 gained 15.65 points, or 0.24%, to 6,378.89, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 51.29 points, or 0.25%, to 21,110.19.
Intel dropped 9% after the chipmaker forecast steeper third-quarter losses than expected and announced plans to slash jobs.
Deckers Outdoor soared 18% after beating first-quarter revenue and profit estimates on resilient demand for its sneakers and boots in international markets.
Meanwhile, diplomats said the proposed agreement would set a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods entering the US and a 50% levy on European steel and aluminum. President Donald Trump said earlier in the day the odds of a US-EU trade deal were “50-50”.
Negotiations with South Korea, too, accelerated as countries scrambled to sidestep Trump’s steep import duties.
“It’s another notch in the gun where trade victories seem to be a driving force right now,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research.
“Wall Street’s being rewarded for its belief that these are negotiating tactics rather than realities. And until that changes, investors will continue to be encouraged by additional agreements.”
The flurry of trade progress including fresh agreements with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines helped set the three major indexes on track for a strong finish to the week, if gains hold.
However, the week also saw some setbacks. Heavyweights Tesla and General Motors stumbled and were on track for their steepest weekly losses in nearly two months if the declines continue.
The focus turns to the US Federal Reserve meeting next week, with Wall Street widely expecting the central bank to hold interest rates steady as it weighs the impact of the tariffs on inflation.
Traders now see about 64% chance of a rate cut in September, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.
Among other stocks, Health insurer Centene posted a surprise quarterly loss, but its shares gained 6.6%.
Paramount Global rose 1.3% after US regulators approved its $8.4-billion merger with Skydance Media.
Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.12-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.43-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.
The S&P 500 posted 33 new 52-week highs and six new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 44 new highs and 42 new lows.
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