On Friday, the S&P 500 saw significant movement, with notable gains and losses among its constituents. Leading the pack was Palantir Technologies (PLTR), a big-data analytics software provider, which experienced a remarkable 6.5% increase in its stock price. This surge marked Palantir's top performance for the day, driven largely by positive sentiment surrounding its expanding government business. Earlier in the week, the stock had pulled back slightly despite reaching an all-time high on Tuesday, but Friday's gains restored investor confidence. The excitement in the market was further fueled by strong earnings results from Broadcom (AVGO), indicating robust demand for artificial intelligence solutions.
Another notable winner was Moderna (MRNA), whose shares rose by 5.1% to conclude a volatile trading week. The biotech company announced FDA approval for its new COVID-19 vaccine targeting older and high-risk patients. Additionally, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed that Moderna had agreed to conduct a placebo-controlled trial of the vaccine, which likely contributed to the stock's upward momentum.
United Airlines (UAL) also made headlines with a 4.8% increase in its stock price following a new partnership with Spotify Technology (SPOT). This collaboration allows passengers to access playlists, audiobooks, and video podcasts from Spotify directly on their seatback screens, enhancing in-flight entertainment options. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines (DAL) saw its shares rise by 4.3%, benefiting from similar positive sentiment in the airline sector.
In the electric vehicle market, Tesla (TSLA) shares increased by 3.7% on Friday, as tensions between CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to ease. This feud had previously caused a significant drop in Tesla's stock price, but analysts maintained their bullish outlook on the company despite the political turmoil. However, they cautioned that ongoing tensions could complicate Tesla's regulatory path in the future.
On the flip side, Lululemon Athletica (LULU) faced a steep decline, with shares plummeting 19.8% after the company issued lower-than-expected sales and profit guidance for the current quarter. The athletic apparel maker cited cautious consumer spending in the U.S. and announced plans to increase prices on select products to offset tariff impacts. Following this disappointing outlook, analysts from JPMorgan and UBS lowered their price targets on Lululemon stock.
Broadcom (AVGO) shares also fell 5% after the company reported fiscal second-quarter results that, although aligned with consensus forecasts, failed to meet the high expectations set by investors. Despite a significant year-over-year increase in AI semiconductor revenue, Broadcom's stock receded from its record highs prior to the earnings release.
Additionally, Mosaic (MOS), a provider of fertilizers and agricultural products, saw its shares drop by 4.4% after the company reduced its phosphate production guidance for 2025 due to operational challenges at its U.S. facilities.
As of Friday, the major indexes regained positive momentum for 2025. The S&P 500 closed the week just 2.4% shy of its record high achieved in February, marking a 2% increase since the start of the year. This performance positions the S&P 500 as the top performer among the three major indexes, with the Nasdaq Composite gaining 1.1% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 0.5%.
During the week, the Dow rose by 1.2%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq saw gains of 1.5% and 2.2%, respectively. This marks the second consecutive week of gains for the major indexes and the fifth time in seven weeks that they've shown an upward trend.
Following its earnings report, Broadcom (AVGO) shares suffered a significant decline, falling 5% on Friday. The company reported fiscal second-quarter sales that met analysts' expectations, but the outlook fell short of the high investor estimates, especially in comparison to the stellar results delivered by rival Nvidia (NVDA). CEO Hock Tan noted that chip demand may accelerate in the second half of 2026, primarily driven by strong inference demand, yet investors reacted negatively to the post-earnings outlook.
Broadcom shares are up approximately 6% year-to-date, slightly outperforming the S&P 500. Investors are advised to monitor key support levels around $235 and $200, with an important resistance level near $265.
The ongoing feud between Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has raised concerns among investors. However, several analysts from firms such as Wedbush and Morgan Stanley remain optimistic about Tesla's long-term prospects. Despite the recent tensions potentially complicating regulatory approvals for Tesla's self-driving technology, analysts continue to highlight the company's leadership in robotics and AI.
Following a significant drop of 14% on Thursday, Tesla shares rebounded to around $297 in premarket trading. Analysts have issued varied ratings on the stock, with price targets ranging from $120 to $500, indicating a divided outlook among market experts.
Apple's (AAPL) annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to commence on Monday, with CEO Tim Cook expected to unveil new advancements in the company's AI features. Analysts anticipate announcements regarding potential partnerships with Google and new software development kits aimed at enhancing AI capabilities for third-party developers. The conference is expected to address previous concerns regarding tariffs and delays in AI features that have impacted Apple's stock this year.
During the event, Cook may also introduce the latest iOS update, potentially incorporating design changes and new features optimized for AI usage, which could play a crucial role ahead of the anticipated iPhone 17 launch.
Microsoft (MSFT) shares reached record highs as analysts predict significant upside potential, particularly due to the company's partnership with OpenAI. Bernstein raised its price target, highlighting the potential revenue growth from Microsoft Azure, while Wedbush noted the company's strong position in the AI market. Microsoft shares were trading at around $471, and analysts project continued growth in the Intelligent Cloud segment.
Nvidia (NVDA) holds the title of the world's most valuable company, boasting a market capitalization of approximately $3.5 trillion. With its relatively small workforce, the market cap per employee is significantly higher than its competitors, raising questions about the evolution of employment structures in leading companies.
DocuSign (DOCU) shares fell sharply after the electronic signature software company missed billings estimates and revised its full-year outlook downward. Despite reporting better-than-expected earnings, the shift towards an AI-driven model has impacted growth more quickly than anticipated, leading to a 19% drop in stock price.
In other market news, Omada Health is set to debut on the Nasdaq after pricing its IPO at $19 per share. The company is gaining attention as a virtual chronic care provider. Meanwhile, shares of Circle Internet Group (CRCL) soared 18% following a successful debut on the NYSE, highlighting the growing interest in stablecoin issuers and cryptocurrency-related businesses.
As the market continues to evolve, investors should stay informed about the latest trends and developments within the S&P 500 and beyond.
