U.S. stocks closed mixed on Wednesday as strong gains in healthcare, materials, and telecoms offset losses in consumer and energy sectors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.68%, marking a fresh all-time high, while the S&P 500 added 0.06%. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.26%, dragged lower by weakness in major technology names.
Leading the Dow’s advance were UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), up 3.55% to $339.07, and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), which gained 3.54% to hit an all-time high of $838.97. Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) also added 3.14%, buoyed by stronger-than-expected enterprise spending data.
Conversely, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) fell 1.95%, while Chevron (NYSE: CVX) dropped 1.87% amid falling oil prices. Home Depot (NYSE: HD) also slipped 0.83%, reflecting consumer caution ahead of key holiday sales reports.
AMD and United Lead Broader S&P Gains
The S&P 500 saw modest movement but featured standout performances among tech and travel stocks. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) soared 8.98% to $258.86, driven by optimism over AI chip demand and improved semiconductor outlooks. Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) rose 6.20%, while United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) gained 5.28%, supported by higher travel bookings.
Among the worst S&P performers were Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ: PSKY), down 6.99%, Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), which fell 5.51%, and SLB NV (NYSE: SLB), down 4.09% amid lower energy prices and weaker oilfield activity.
Market highlights:
- Dow Jones: +0.68% to record close
- S&P 500: +0.06%, led by AMD and Albemarle
- Nasdaq Composite: −0.26%, pressured by tech sell-offs
Market breadth was mixed, with 1,411 advancing stocks versus 1,333 decliners on the NYSE, while Nasdaq saw 1,603 gainers against 1,777 decliners.
Oil Drops, Gold and Dollar Strengthen
In commodities, gold futures surged 2.14% to $4,204.51 per ounce, boosted by weaker bond yields and renewed safe-haven demand. Crude oil tumbled 4.33% to $58.40, as inventories climbed and traders reacted to OPEC’s latest supply outlook. Brent crude slipped 3.85% to $62.65.
Currency markets showed mild volatility. The U.S. dollar index rose 0.08% to 99.40, while USD/JPY climbed 0.44% to 154.83. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) ticked up 1.39% to 17.52, signaling slightly higher investor caution.
Overall, Wall Street’s latest session reflected a cautious balance between optimism in blue-chip stocks and ongoing uncertainty in energy and tech sectors, setting the tone for a volatile close to the trading week.