Stock markets concluded the trading week with a positive showing on Friday, led by a late-week surge in technology stocks. Despite the gains, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite failed to overcome earlier losses, ending the week in negative territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500, however, managed to secure weekly gains amidst thinning trading volumes ahead of the holiday season.

At the close of trading on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a 0.4% increase, reaching 48,134 points. The broader S&P 500 index climbed 0.9% to 6,834 points. The Nasdaq Composite, driven by significant gains in the technology sector, rose by 1.3% to 23,307 points. However, the Nasdaq’s weekly performance resulted in a 0.7% decline, contrasting with the modest weekly advances of its major index counterparts.

The technology sector was the standout performer on Friday, with the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) jumping 2.2%. A primary catalyst for this surge was a substantial rally in Oracle (ORCL) shares, which climbed 6.8%. This upward movement followed news that Oracle is part of a joint venture poised to acquire 50% of TikTok’s U.S. operations, marking a significant development in the ongoing regulatory saga surrounding the popular social media platform.

This agreement aims to resolve the U.S. government’s concerns regarding TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and its ownership of the app’s American user base. The transaction is slated to be finalized on January 22, 2026, just one day before a January 23 deadline imposed by an executive order. Oracle will serve as a trusted security partner, hosting TikTok’s data and ensuring compliance with national security protocols.

Meanwhile, the healthcare sector also demonstrated strength, with the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advancing 0.7%. Moderna (MRNA) was a notable gainer within the S&P 500, experiencing a 9.2% increase in its stock price. This boost came after the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) committed $54.3 million to fund a Phase 3 study for Moderna’s mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccine.

Moderna’s stock, which had previously peaked in mid-2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is now trading at significantly lower levels. Analysts acknowledge the company’s efforts to diversify its vaccine pipeline beyond COVID-19, including flu, RSV, and cancer vaccines. However, some forecasts suggest that achieving cash flow breakeven may not occur until 2030, potentially later than company projections.

In contrast, Nike (NKE) faced significant headwinds, with its shares plummeting 10.5% following the release of its fiscal second-quarter earnings. The athletic apparel and footwear giant reported earnings of 53 cents per share on revenue of $12.4 billion, exceeding analyst expectations. Despite beating profit forecasts, the market reacted negatively to a reported 17% decline in sales within Greater China.

Nike’s leadership acknowledged challenges in the Chinese market, indicating that efforts to improve performance are not yet yielding the desired pace of change. While the company maintains optimism about long-term opportunities in China, it anticipates continued headwinds through the end of its current fiscal year. Nike’s year-to-date performance places it among the poorest-performing stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average for 2025.

Investor sentiment regarding Nike remains divided, with analysts offering contrasting views on the company’s recovery strategy. Some analysts recommend buying the stock, believing the recent earnings report signals a turnaround driven by targeted investments. Others express caution, suggesting that the underlying issues impacting Nike’s performance are more deeply rooted than initially perceived.

This mixed performance across key sectors underscores the dynamic nature of the current market, influenced by company-specific news, regulatory developments, and global economic factors. Investors are closely monitoring these trends as they navigate the evolving investment landscape.

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Keywords: Nasdaq, tech stocks, stock market, Oracle, TikTok, Moderna, Nike, healthcare stocks