US open: Major indices build on Thursday's record close

(Sharecast News) - Wall Street stocks were mostly higher at the opening bell on Friday after all three major indices wrapped up the previous session at new record highs. As of 1450 BST, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.04% at 46,159.74, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.16% to 6,642.38 and the Nasdaq Composite came out of the gate 0.32% firmer at 22,543.63.

The Dow opened 17.32 points higher on Friday, modestly extending gains recorded in the previous session due to strong gains in the tech sector on hopes that an interest-rate cut will bolster economic growth.

While the Nasdaq continued to benefit from renewed appetite for tech stocks, broader sentiment was tempered by Fed chair Jerome Powell's cautious tone, describing the move as "risk management" rather than the start of a sustained cutting cycle. Traders have now priced in two more reductions this year, but expectations for 2026 have been scaled back sharply, with the central bank's dot plot signalling just one cut - well below market forecasts.

Adding to the day's volatility, market participants were bracing for the expiry of September's monthly options contracts, including key positions in equity indices and tech-heavy ETFs. The third Friday of the month typically sees elevated volumes and price swings as positions are rolled or closed, with Nasdaq-linked contracts in particular drawing attention amid renewed sector momentum.

No major macro points or corporate earnings were slated for release on Friday.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com

Dow Jones - Risers

Apple Inc. (AAPL) $241.88 1.68% Amgen Inc. (AMGN) $278.57 0.99% Salesforce.Com Inc. (CRM) $246.12 0.75% Visa Inc. (V) $340.22 0.60% Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) $511.38 0.58% Unitedhealth Group Inc. (UNH) $336.38 0.46% Boeing Co. (BA) $216.61 0.44% International Business Machines Corporation (CDI) (IBM) $266.00 0.38% Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) $467.92 0.21% Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) $81.68 0.18%

Dow Jones - Fallers

Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) $23.70 -1.70% Nike Inc. (NKE) $71.22 -1.22% Walt Disney Co. (DIS) $113.47 -1.21% Intel Corp. (INTC) $30.24 -1.08% Chevron Corp. (CVX) $157.54 -0.82% Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) $799.23 -0.63% JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) $311.56 -0.53% Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) $43.51 -0.36% Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) $173.57 -0.34% Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) $68.48 -0.29%

S&P 500 - Risers

Kohls Corp. (KSS) $18.02 3.68% Fortinet Inc. (FTNT) $83.21 2.73% Intuit Inc. (INTU) $692.49 2.60% Lincoln National Corp. (LNC) $40.82 2.55% TripAdvisor Inc. (TRIP) $19.60 2.40% Newmont Corporation (NEM) $80.06 2.22% Apple Inc. (AAPL) $241.88 1.68% Western Digital Corp. (WDC) $106.66 1.44% Albemarle Corp. (ALB) $82.01 1.33% Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX) $45.51 1.29%

S&P 500 - Fallers

Lennar Corp. Class A (LEN) $126.07 -5.12% Micron Technology Inc. (MU) $162.46 -3.81% Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) $337.37 -2.31% Celanese Corp. (CE) $44.46 -2.25% International Paper Co. (IP) $46.15 -2.04% Bath & Body Works, Inc. (BBWI) $25.76 -2.02% D. R. Horton Inc. (DHI) $166.23 -2.00% ONEOK Inc. (OKE) $72.21 -1.86% PulteGroup Inc. (PHM) $131.65 -1.83% Ventas Inc. (VTR) $66.76 -1.78%

Nasdaq 100 - Risers

Intuit Inc. (INTU) $692.49 2.60% Tesla Inc (TSLA) $424.70 1.88% Apple Inc. (AAPL) $241.88 1.68% Western Digital Corp. (WDC) $106.66 1.44% Workday, Inc. (WDAY) $236.79 1.41% JD.com, Inc. (JD) $35.74 1.02% Amgen Inc. (AMGN) $278.57 0.99% Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN) $129.92 0.96% Autodesk Inc. (ADSK) $325.90 0.89% Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) $197.81 0.80%

Nasdaq 100 - Fallers

Micron Technology Inc. (MU) $162.46 -3.81% Qvc Group Inc Series A (QVCGA) $14.61 -2.66% Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) $337.37 -2.31% Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. (ULTA) $528.25 -1.23% Intel Corp. (INTC) $30.24 -1.08% Dollar Tree Inc (DLTR) $97.25 -1.03% Biogen Inc (BIIB) $142.43 -0.96% Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) $246.76 -0.92% Trip.com Group Limited (TCOM) $77.45 -0.90% Sirius XM Holdings Inc (SIRI) $22.80 -0.87%