Dow closes above 50K for the first time in history

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 points for the first time in the 140-year history of the stock index.

The Dow gained more than 1,200 points Friday, rising 2.5 percent to close at 50,115 points. The S&P 500 index rose 2 percent on the day, and the Nasdaq composite closed with a gain of 2.2 percent.

The Dow’s record-breaking rally capped off a remarkable bounceback for the broader stock market Friday, which had been mired in losses driven largely by concerns about the impact of AI on software development.

Nvidia was the Dow’s highest riser Friday, closing the day with a gain of 8 percent. Construction and manufacturing stocks Caterpillar and 3M also were also among the best-performing Dow stocks, joined by Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Amgen, Walmart and Walt Disney Co.

“Market sentiment improved after today’s positive report out of the University of Michigan. Median 1-year inflation expectations hit the lowest since January 2025, providing some comfort for investors eager to see improving inflation metrics,” wrote Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial, in a Friday research note.

“We think the markets may have to work through more jitters with a new Fed chair, but in the end, we think the Fed will cut rates later this year which will grease the skids for more market appreciation.”

President Trump, who has faced steadily declining approval on the economy, marked the Dow’s record in a post on Truth Social.

“CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!,” Trump wrote.