U.S. stock markets close with fifth straight week of gains


Helped by boosts from the People's Bank of China and the European Central Bank, U.S. stock markets closed on Friday with a fifth week of positive performance — the best stretch since 2011, Fortune notes.
The People's Bank of China announced an interest rate cut on Friday that nudged international markets higher, while the European Central Bank's president, Mario Draghi, made comments about the bank's plans to double down on boosting the eurozone economy. The Dow Jones Industrial average closed at a record 17,810, while the S&P 500 rose nearly 11 points, to 2,064. The U.S. stock markets' reaction to international news underscores the need for consistent global gains, though, said one portfolio manager.
"It's short-term good news, but the really good news is going to take longer to play out," Tom Kolefas, of TIAA-CREF, told The Wall Street Journal. "What we really need is real economic growth (outside the U.S.)."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Economists fear US inflation data less reliable
speed read The Labor Department is collecting less data for its consumer price index due to staffing shortages
-
Crypto firm Coinbase hacked, faces SEC scrutiny
Speed Read The Securities and Exchange Commission has also been investigating whether Coinbase misstated its user numbers in past disclosures
-
Starbucks baristas strike over dress code
speed read The new uniform 'puts the burden on baristas' to buy new clothes, said a Starbucks Workers United union delegate
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores