Dow Jones Today: Stock Indexes Rise to End Week; Nasdaq Hits New Record; Gold Recrosses $4,000

U.S. stock indexes advanced Friday, with the Nasdaq hitting a new record high, while gold futures surpassed $4,000 an ounce as the government shutdown continued. West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 2.4% to $60 per barrel following a Gaza ceasefire. In corporate news, Applied Digital (APLD) soared 26% on better-than-expected revenue and a new lease agreement, and Nvidia (NVDA) reached a new all-time high, pushing its market capitalization to $4.7 trillion. Conversely, Qualcomm (QCOM) slipped 1% amid a Chinese antitrust probe, and Levi Strauss (LEVI) dropped over 10% after warning of margin pressure from tariffs, while Stellantis (STLA) reversed earlier gains to trade down despite reporting a 13% year-over-year increase in Q3 shipments.

Analysis

U.S. stock indexes advanced, with the Nasdaq hitting a new record high, despite the ongoing 10-day government shutdown. Gold futures surpassed $4,000 an ounce, reflecting safe-haven demand, while crude oil fell 2.4% to $60 per barrel post-Gaza ceasefire. The 10-year Treasury yield declined to 4.10%.

Applied Digital (APLD) shares surged 26% on strong quarterly revenue and a new 150-megawatt lease with CoreWeave. Nvidia (NVDA) rose 1.5% to an all-time high, reaching a $4.7 trillion market cap, underscoring robust demand in data center and AI technology sectors.

Conversely, Qualcomm (QCOM) slipped 1% due to a Chinese antitrust probe, highlighting M&A regulatory risks. Levi Strauss (LEVI) dropped over 10% after warning of tariff-induced margin pressure. Stellantis (STLA) fell 1.7% despite a 13% YoY increase in Q3 shipments, indicating market skepticism.

The prolonged government shutdown limits official data, shifting investor focus to company-specific fundamentals and sector resilience. Polymarket wagerers anticipate a high likelihood of resolution by month-end, suggesting temporary market uncertainty rather than a sustained fiscal crisis.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors should closely monitor the U.S. government shutdown's resolution and its impact on official economic data, while observing gold's role as a safe-haven asset and crude oil's geopolitical sensitivity.
• Consider continued exposure to high-growth technology sectors, particularly data centers and AI, given strong performances from Applied Digital and Nvidia, but evaluate individual company fundamentals and growth catalysts.
• Exercise caution with companies facing regulatory scrutiny, such as Qualcomm's antitrust probe, or those exposed to significant tariff-related margin pressures like Levi Strauss.
• Evaluate companies like Stellantis where positive operational metrics do not immediately translate to stock performance, suggesting deeper market concerns or valuation considerations.