Stock market today: Dow eyes record on UnitedHealth surge, S&P 500, Nasdaq fall as rate-cut bets col

US stocks were mixed on Friday as Wall Street tempered its rate-cut hopes amid economic data this week showing higher than expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales. Traders were also awaiting Friday's meeting between President Trump and Vladimir Putin, looking for clues on how the outcome could steer markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose around 0.4%, with the index's first record since December in sight. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) lost 0.5%.

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US Census Bureau data released Friday morning showed retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month. That was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists, but still viewed as a solid advance after a sharp pullback in consumer spending this spring.

A reading on consumer sentiment is also on the docket later Friday morning.

On Thursday, stocks had wobbled, ending a two-day rally sparked by investor confidence that an interest rate cut in September was nearly certain. Doubts about a significant cut at the Fed's next policy meeting crept in after July's Producer Price Index (PPI) came in hotter than expected.

Major Dow component UnitedHealth (UNH) stock soared on Friday after a regulatory filing showed Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) bought 5 million shares in the company.

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Intel (INTC) shares also jumped Friday on news that the US government is considering taking a stake in the company. President Trump met with Intel's CEO on Monday after calling on him to resign the previous week.

And Applied Materials (AMAT) stock sank 14% after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts due to sluggish demand in China, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks.LIVE7 updates

21 mins ago

Laura Bratton

US stocks mixed at the open

US stocks were mixed on Friday at the open as Wall Street tempered its hopes for the Fed to cut interest rates in September, as economic data this week showed higher than expected wholesale inflation and a rise in July retail sales.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose around 0.5%, putting the index on track for its first record since December. The benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose less than 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) fell below the flatline.

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Advanced Chart Today at 12:56 PM UTC

Laura Bratton

Intel stock continues rise as Trump administration reportedly mulls taking stake in chipmaker

Intel (INTC) stock spiked more than 7% Thursday and continued to climb 3% before the market open on Friday, following a report that the US government is considering taking a stake in the troubled chipmaker.

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Bloomberg reported that the Trump administration is in talks with Intel about the deal, which would help the company complete its Ohio factory expansion that had been put on hold.

The report follows a meeting between President Trump and Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan earlier this week, which came after the president called for the CEO’s resignation due to his ties with China.

"As Intel’s prospects have dimmed, the idea of support (governmental or otherwise) has gained traction, understandable given the company, for better or worse, remains the only US-headquartered prospect for leading edge semiconductor chips and processes; it seems like Trump may have been persuaded to see the light," Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon wrote in a note to investors Friday.

It's not the first time the Trump administration has allegedly floated ideas to prop up Intel. In February, a news report said the US was pitching proposals to its rival TSMC to help support its turnaround by establishing a joint venture with Intel.

Read more here. Today at 12:34 PM UTC

Laura Bratton

Retail sales climb less than expected in July

Retail sales rose 0.5% in July from the prior month, according to data from the US Census Bureau released Friday — marking the second monthly gain in a row, as consumer spending steadies following a dramatic drop in earlier in the year.

Still, the jump was less than the 0.6% gain expected by economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

Excluding auto and gas sales, retail sales were up 0.2%, also less than the 0.3% projected.

An even narrower slice of retail sales called the “control group” — a more precise measure of consumer spending that excludes certain sales such as those from office supply and tobacco stores — climbed 0.5%, ahead of the 0.4% expected.

Retail sales rebounded in June, a sign that consumer spending habits were remaining resilient despite President Trump's tariffs.

Read more here. Today at 12:00 PM UTC

Grace O'Donnell

Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma won't go away

Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban writes in today's Morning Brief:

Read more here. Today at 11:49 AM UTC

Jenny McCall

Good morning. Here's what's happening today.

Economic data: Retail sales (July); Export prices (July); Industrial production (July); University of Michigan consumer sentiment (August preliminary)

Earnings: No notable earnings.

Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning:

'Striking while the iron is hot'

Investors want rate cut 'validation,' but the Fed's dilemma remains

Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks

UnitedHealth jumps as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares

BofA's Hartnett sees profit-taking in stocks after Jackson Hole

AI exacerbates tech divide with smaller stocks languishing

A trader's guide to the Alaska talks between Trump and Putin

China's economy slows in July on tariffs, weak property market Today at 9:54 AM UTC

Jenny McCall

Applied Materials' shares sink on weak China demand, tariff risks

Shares in Applied Materials (AMAT) sank 14% before the bell on Friday after the chip equipment maker issued weak fourth-quarter forecasts on sluggish China demand, fueling concerns over tariff-related risks.

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165.40

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Reuters reports:

Read more here. Today at 9:24 AM UTC

Jenny McCall

UnitedHealth stock soars as Buffett's Berkshire buys 5M shares

UnitedHealth Group stock rose 12% before the bell on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-B, BRK-A) acquired 5 million shares in the company.

A regulatory filing showed the purchase on Thursday.

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300.40

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Reuters reports:

Read more here.

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