US stocks saw a notable rise on Friday, buoyed by investor reactions to the December jobs report, which capped off a data-rich week in the markets. The S&P 500 rose by approximately 0.6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased around 0.5%. Both indexes appeared close to record closing highs. Additionally, the Nasdaq Composite jumped 0.7%, positioning all three major indexes for solid weekly gains as the year begins.
Focus in the markets on Friday centered on two significant events: the December jobs report and the anticipation surrounding a Supreme Court decision regarding the legality of President Trump’s extensive tariffs. According to the nonfarm payrolls report, the US economy added 50,000 jobs in December—a figure that fell short of the approximately 70,000 jobs economists had expected. This moderation in job growth reinforced speculation that the Federal Reserve is likely to maintain current interest rates during its upcoming meeting in less than three weeks. In contrast, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4%, down from 4.6% in November, continuing the trend of a “no-hire, no-fire” economy observed throughout 2025.
Investor attention was further drawn to the Supreme Court regarding potential rulings on tariffs. However, the day passed without a decision, leaving many to speculate on the economic implications of such a ruling, which could dramatically reshape global trade if the levies were deemed unlawful.
Additionally, developments in US-Venezuela relations were noteworthy. President Trump announced the cancellation of a second wave of military actions in Venezuela, crediting a cooperative stance from the interim government there, particularly in light of their actions concerning political prisoners. Trump highlighted plans for a substantial investment in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, in collaboration with major oil companies.
In the domestic sphere, Trump also directed Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to acquire $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, an effort aimed at lowering mortgage rates and addressing affordability issues in the housing market. Analysts expressed caution regarding the specifics of this plan, which remain unclear.
In commodity markets, gold and silver were set for significant weekly gains. Gold prices climbed 1% to hover above $4,500, and silver surged 7%. Both metals experienced volatility influenced by international events, such as the US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, yet ended the week on an upward trend.
The technology sector also saw excitement as chip stocks gained momentum following major announcements at the CES tech convention in Las Vegas. President Trump reiterated his commitment to revitalizing chip manufacturing in the US, benefiting companies like Broadcom, Micron, and Intel, all of which reported stock increases. Conversely, Qualcomm faced a decline following an earlier week rally.
Consumer sentiment reached its highest levels since September, further adding to a positive atmosphere in the markets. Stock investors also observed notable movements from specific companies: Intel shares surged over 8% after Trump praised CEO Lip-Bu Tan, marking a shift in administration relations with the tech giant. Meanwhile, Oklo, a small nuclear reactor firm, saw a remarkable 13% increase in shares after securing a significant deal with Meta to supply power from future projects in Ohio.
Overall, the broader markets reflect a cautious yet optimistic stance as investors digest mixed signals from the labor market and the potential implications of ongoing trade discussions and economic plans.
