Stock market opens in record territory as investors bet on trade deals, Fed rate cut

Leading stock market indexes opened in record territory, with investors buoyed by signs of progress on a U.S.-China trade deal.

Shortly after the start of trade on Friday, the S&P 500 rose 14 points, or 0.2%, to 6,155 points, surpassing its previous all-time closing high in February of 6,144. The index, which also briefly edged above its previous record on Thursday in intraday trading, has jumped roughly 25% since President Trump announced his "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2. 

The Nasdaq Composite gained 62 points, or 0.3 %, to 20,227, topping its previous record high of 20,174 on Dec. 16, 2024. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4% to 43, 627 but remains below its previous high of 45,014 on Dec. 4, 2024.