If you’re checking your ticker app today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, and seeing total stillness, don't worry—your Wi-Fi isn't broken. The stock market is actually closed right now because it's the weekend. But that doesn't mean the story of the market is "paused." Honestly, the way things wrapped up on Friday gives us a lot to chew on, especially with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday tomorrow keeping the floors quiet until Tuesday morning.
Most folks just want to know if they made money or lost it. But markets in 2026 are a bit more complicated than just green or red arrows. We’re currently navigating a world where AI isn't just a "trend" anymore; it's the bedrock of the entire S&P 500. Friday’s close was a classic example of "wait and see" behavior. Investors were essentially packing their bags for the long weekend, but they left a few messy piles behind.
The Final Numbers: How Did the Stock Market Close Today (Technically Friday)
Basically, we saw a lot of "flat" movement. Traders call it a "sideways" day. The major indices didn't want to make any big bets before a three-day break, especially with the World Economic Forum in Davos kicking off and President Trump expected to speak there later this week.
Here is the breakdown of where the big three landed:
The S&P 500 dipped just a tiny bit, losing about 0.06% to finish at 6,940.01. It’s hovering right near its all-time high, which is wild when you think about how much people were panicking about a recession a year ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average took a slightly harder hit, falling 80 points (around 0.16%) to close at 49,363. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite—the playground for tech nerds and AI bulls—was almost perfectly flat, though it technically ended the week down about 0.4%.
Why the Dow Felt a Little Grumpy
The Dow’s 80-point drop might look small, but it was driven by some specific heavy hitters. UnitedHealth and Salesforce were the main anchors dragging it down. Salesforce caught some heat as investors started questioning if the massive "AI premium" baked into their stock price is starting to get a bit too expensive. On the flip side, IBM and American Express had a great day, keeping the Dow from falling off a cliff.
The "Warsh" Effect and Fed Uncertainty
One of the biggest conversations on the floor right now isn't about earnings; it's about who's going to lead the Federal Reserve. There was a lot of chatter Friday about Kevin Warsh potentially becoming the frontrunner for the next Fed Chair.
Markets hate uncertainty. Kinda a cliché, but it’s true. President Trump signaled he might keep Kevin Hassett in his current advisory role rather than putting him at the helm of the Fed. This shifted the odds toward Warsh, and the bond market reacted instantly. When the people in charge of the money supply are in flux, the big institutional banks tend to sit on their hands. That’s exactly what we saw during the final hour of trading.
Semiconductors: The Only Real Spark
If you owned chip stocks this week, you’re probably feeling okay. Despite the broader market being sleepy, the semiconductor sector actually had some life. A massive trade deal between the US and Taiwan was the catalyst. We're talking about a $250 billion investment in American production.
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- Nvidia and Micron saw some solid support, even though Nvidia technically dipped a fraction of a percent right at the bell.
- Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) has been the "Goldilocks" stock lately—just right.
- Super Micro Computer (SMCI) was a surprise winner on Friday, jumping over 10% after some positive analyst sentiment.
What Most People Get Wrong About Holiday Closures
There's a misconception that "closed" means "static." Even though the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are dark for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the rest of the world isn't. Global markets in London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong will still be trading.
Also, watch the "Grey Market" and futures. While you can't buy 100 shares of Apple at 2:00 PM on Sunday, the futures contracts (which are basically bets on what the price will be when the market re-opens) will start moving Sunday night. Often, a big move in Asian markets on Sunday night "sets the table" for how US stocks will behave on Tuesday morning.
The Crypto and Gold Side-Hustle
While stocks were boring, the "alternative" assets were popping off. Gold hit a fresh high of $4,604 an ounce. Why? Because when people are nervous about the Fed or geopolitical tension (like the ongoing chatter about Greenland and Iran), they buy shiny metal.
Bitcoin is sitting around $90,900. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but it’s increasingly being treated like a "digital gold" by institutional players. If you're wondering why your stock portfolio is flat but your "fun money" account is up, that's why.
Real Winners and Losers from the Last Session
- ImmunityBio (IBRX): They absolutely crushed it, up nearly 40% on news about cancer trial progress.
- Walmart (WMT): Hit a new 52-week high. People are still buying groceries and cheap clothes, no matter what the Fed does.
- Vistra Energy (VST): One of the big losers, dropping over 6%. The "AI power demand" trade is getting a little volatile.
Actionable Insights for Your Tuesday Strategy
Don't just stare at the screen on Tuesday morning. The "long weekend effect" often leads to a volatile opening. Here is how you should actually handle this:
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- Check the Davos Headlines: Listen for what's said about housing reform. If the President mentions specific incentives for builders, watch companies like Lennar or DR Horton.
- Watch the 10-Year Treasury Yield: If this spikes on Tuesday morning, tech stocks (Nasdaq) will likely take a hit. High rates are the enemy of growth.
- Earnings Season Prep: We have heavyweights like Netflix and Intel reporting this week. The "vibe" of the market will depend entirely on whether these companies show actual profit from AI, not just promises.
- Set Your Limits Now: Since the market is closed, use this time to set "limit orders" for Tuesday. Don't try to chase the price during the 9:30 AM ET opening bell "chaos."
Keep an eye on the PCE Inflation data coming out later this week too. That’s the Fed’s favorite metric, and it’ll dictate if we see more rate cuts or if they’re going to keep the brakes on. For now, enjoy the day off and let the algorithms take a rest.
Would you like me to look into the specific earnings expectations for Netflix or Intel to help you prep for Tuesday's open?