The day’s numbers and statistics are displayed on a monitor on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange at the opening bell in New York City on July 18, 2025. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
News Analysis
After a slight weekly loss the previous week, U.S. stocks regained upward momentum, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching new highs amid optimism about corporate earnings and the broader economy.
The S&P 500 Index closed at 6,296 on July 18, up by 0.59 percent for the week and near its all-time high reached during the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 0.07 percent to finish at 44,342. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 1.51 percent, to 20,895, also near the all-time high, while the Russell 2000 gained 0.23 percent.
Trading during the new week followed the playbook of the recent bull run: It began with profit-taking on the morning of July 14, as traders locked in profits on the winners of the previous week. However, things turned around quickly, as dip-buying emerged once again, helping to stabilize the market.
