Major US Stock Indexes: Performance on Friday, 10/18/2024

On Friday, 10/18/2024, major US stock indexes experienced a mixed day, with some sectors contributing more to their overall performance than others. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed slightly lower by 0.12%, while the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) ended the day with modest gains of 0.23% and 0.35%, respectively.

The energy sector was the top-performing sector within the major US stock indexes on Friday, with a gain of 1.5%. This was driven by an increase in oil prices, which rose due to supply concerns and geopolitical tensions. The technology sector also performed well, with a gain of 0.8%, led by strong performances from semiconductor and software companies.

On the other hand, the consumer staples sector was the bottom-performing sector, with a loss of 0.5%. This was largely due to a decline in shares of food and beverage companies, which were impacted by concerns about rising input costs and slowing consumer demand.


The performance of the major US stock indexes on Friday, 10/18/2024, compared favorably to their historical averages and recent trends. The DJIA, SPX, and IXIC have all been trading within a tight range over the past few months, with volatility remaining relatively low. This indicates a stable market environment, with investors focusing on fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.


The top and bottom performing stocks within the major US stock indexes on Friday, 10/18/2024, were driven by a variety of factors. For example, shares of ExxonMobil (XOM) rose by over 3% on the day, benefiting from the increase in oil prices. Meanwhile, shares of Walmart (WMT) fell by over 2%, impacted by concerns about slowing consumer demand and rising input costs.

The performance of the major US stock indexes on Friday, 10/18/2024, correlated with broader economic indicators and global market trends. The US dollar weakened slightly, which typically benefits commodity prices and, in turn, energy stocks. Additionally, global markets were relatively stable, with most major indexes trading in a tight range.

The most significant individual stocks driving the performance of these indexes included ExxonMobil (XOM) and Walmart (WMT). ExxonMobil's strong performance contributed to the overall gain in the energy sector, while Walmart's decline weighed on the consumer staples sector.