Honestly, if you looked at the major indices this afternoon, you’d think the market was taking a nap. But beneath that flat surface, things are getting weird. We're heading into a long holiday weekend with the stock market real time today showing a mix of total boredom and high-stakes political theater. The S&P 500 basically sat still, ending down a tiny 0.07% at 6,939.46. The Nasdaq did the same, losing 0.07% to close at 23,514.42, while the Dow dropped about 87 points. It’s a classic "wait and see" Friday.
Everyone’s talking about the Fed. Specifically, who’s going to run it. President Trump dropped a hint that he might keep Kevin Hassett in his current advisor role instead of making him the next Fed Chair.
Suddenly, the "Warsh Trade" is back on. Kevin Warsh is now the frontrunner in many traders' minds, and that uncertainty sent the 10-year Treasury yield climbing to 4.23%, its highest level since September. When yields go up, investors get twitchy.
The Semiconductor Shield
While the broad market wobbled, chip stocks were the only reason we didn't see a sea of red. Following a massive earnings beat from Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) yesterday, the momentum carried through. TSM announced plans to dump over $52 billion into U.S. capital spending this year. That’s a massive vote of confidence in domestic tech.
✨ Don't miss: Online Associate's Degree in Business: What Most People Get Wrong
Micron (MU) was the standout. Its shares jumped nearly 8% because a board member—industry veteran Mark Liu—bought roughly $8 million worth of stock. When an insider puts that much of their own cash on the line, people notice. It's a loud signal that despite the noise in Washington, the AI infrastructure play is far from over.
- NVIDIA (NVDA): Up slightly as AI demand remains the market's primary heartbeat.
- Super Micro Computer (SMCI): Gained over 11% today, recovering from recent volatility.
- Intel (INTC): Rose 7.3% as it prepares for its own earnings report next week.
Banks, Space, and the Energy Slump
It wasn't all about chips, though. The regional banks had a productive day, mostly. PNC Financial reported a solid $7 billion in net income for 2025, sending its stock up 4%. On the flip side, Regions Financial (RF) slipped 3% after some disappointing guidance. It's a reminder that the "higher for longer" interest rate environment is a double-edged sword for lenders.
Then there’s the space race.
🔗 Read more: Wegmans Meat Seafood Theft: Why Ribeyes and Lobster Are Disappearing
Wall Street is getting obsessed with orbit. AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) secured a prime government contract for the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program, sending the stock up nearly 15%. Intuitive Machines (LUNR) followed suit with a 10% gain. With SpaceX reportedly eyeing a $1.5 trillion IPO later this year, space is becoming a legitimate sector rather than just a speculative playground.
Energy, however, is having a rough go.
Oil prices took a dive as tensions with Iran seemed to cool off. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) struggled around the $59 mark. If you're holding Chevron or Exxon, you've probably noticed they’re struggling to keep pace with the tech-heavy parts of your portfolio.
💡 You might also like: Modern Office Furniture Design: What Most People Get Wrong About Productivity
The "Clarity" Problem in Crypto
If you’re tracking the stock market real time today through the lens of digital assets, it was a frustrating session. The "Clarity Act"—which everyone hoped would finally give us a clear regulatory framework for crypto—stalled out in Washington.
Coinbase and other crypto-adjacent stocks took an immediate hit. Bitcoin is hovering around $95,000, but it’s clear that without a legislative win, the "Trump Pump" in crypto might be hitting a temporary ceiling.
What This Means for Your Tuesday
Since the markets are closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re looking at a four-day break. Usually, that means people sell off on Friday to avoid "weekend risk." The fact that we stayed mostly flat is actually a bit of a bullish sign. It shows that buyers are stepping in even when the news is messy.
Next week is the real test. We’ve got Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, and Intel all reporting. Plus, we'll get the PCE inflation data—the Fed's favorite metric. If that comes in hot, the Fed Chair drama won't matter as much as the actual numbers.
- Check your exposure to "Power Play" stocks: Companies like Constellation Energy (CEG) and Vistra (VST) got hammered today (down 11% and 7% respectively) because of rumors the administration wants tech giants to pay more for the grid. If you're heavy in utilities, keep an eye on this.
- Watch the 10-year yield: If it crosses 4.3%, expect a pullback in growth stocks on Tuesday.
- Review your semiconductor weightings: The TSM and Micron news shows this sector is still the engine. If you've been sitting on the sidelines, look for entries on the next 2-3% dip.
The market is currently in a state of "polarized growth." Tech and space are flying, while energy and certain financials are getting dragged by policy uncertainty. Stay flexible.