Today At A Glance:

U.S. equities ended the week mixed on Friday as investors paused after Thursday’s strong rebound and trimmed exposure ahead of next week’s inflation data and the start of earnings season. The Nasdaq slipped modestly as profit-taking hit semiconductors and high-multiple technology names, while the Dow edged higher on support from defensives and select financials. The S&P 500 finished near flat, reflecting continued rotation rather than a decisive shift in risk appetite. Treasury yields were little changed, removing a major directional catalyst for growth stocks. Overall, the session felt more like consolidation than reversal, with markets digesting gains from the prior two days.

Today’s Index Performance:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) — The Dow opened near 48,260 and closed around 48,340, up approximately +0.17%, as strength in consumer staples and healthcare offset mild weakness elsewhere.
• S&P 500 (^GSPC) — The S&P 500 opened close to 7,015 and finished near 7,005, down about -0.14%, reflecting narrow declines concentrated in technology and communication services.
• Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) — The Nasdaq opened around 24,360 and closed near 24,220, falling roughly -0.57%, led lower by semiconductors and software after recent gains.

Gainers Of Note:

• Procter & Gamble (PG) — Procter & Gamble advanced as investors rotated into defensive consumer staples ahead of next week’s macro data, favoring earnings stability and dividends.
• Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) — Johnson & Johnson moved higher on continued defensive positioning, benefiting from steady healthcare demand and balance-sheet strength.
• JPMorgan Chase (JPM) — JPMorgan edged up as traders positioned ahead of major bank earnings, anticipating resilient net interest income and credit quality updates.

Losers Of Note:

• NVIDIA (NVDA) — NVIDIA slipped as traders locked in short-term gains following the week’s rebound, with semiconductors broadly under pressure.
• Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) — AMD declined in sympathy with the broader chip sector as momentum cooled and investors reduced exposure to high-beta names.
• Meta Platforms (META) — Meta eased lower amid modest profit-taking in large-cap communication services after recent strength.

Active Traders Of Note:

• Apple (AAPL) — Apple remained among the most actively traded stocks as institutions balanced exposure after the week’s tech-led moves.
• Tesla (TSLA) — Tesla saw elevated volume driven by options activity and continued debate around delivery growth and autonomous milestones in 2026.
• SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) — SPY activity reflected broad hedging and positioning ahead of next week’s key economic releases and earnings kickoff.

Looking Forward:

Friday’s mixed close reinforces that markets are entering a wait-and-see phase after early-January volatility. Attention will shift quickly to inflation data and bank earnings next week, which could reset expectations around rates and profit growth. Until those catalysts arrive, investors are likely to favor rotation and selective exposure over aggressive directional bets.

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