Stock Market Today: Indexes Work Back Into The Black; Dow, S&P Inch Higher

The major U.S. stock indexes worked back into the black Friday, June 26, as buyers stepped in after an early tech-led selloff and after fresh consumer-sentiment data gave traders another macro cue to weigh.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both moved into positive territory in morning trading, while the Nasdaq composite remained slightly lower. The split underscored a market that was still digesting weakness in semiconductors and other high-multiple tech names even as some large-cap software and megacap stocks stabilized.

Dow and S&P recover

Live coverage from multiple outlets showed the Dow and S&P 500 edging higher after opening lower. The Dow was up around 0.1% to 0.2% in morning trading, while the S&P 500 hovered around a fraction to 0.1% higher.

The Nasdaq lagged behind, slipping about 0.1% as pressure remained concentrated in semiconductor stocks and related AI-linked names. Market coverage pointed to weakness in shares such as Micron, Nvidia and Sandisk, along with other chip and fiber-optic names including Coherent and Lumentum.

At the same time, some of the market’s largest software and technology companies helped steady sentiment. Coverage cited buying in Microsoft, Apple, Meta Platforms, Amazon, Salesforce and ServiceNow as part of the rebound.

Global tech selloff set the tone

Friday’s U.S. trading followed a rough overnight session for technology shares overseas. Earlier in the day, markets in Asia sold off sharply, including declines in South Korea’s Kospi and Japan’s Nikkei 225, helping set a cautious tone before the U.S. open.

A Reuters-based market report also said OpenAI could delay its initial public offering until next year, a development that added to the weak mood in parts of the tech sector. That report had not been confirmed by the company in the coverage reviewed.

The prior U.S. session had already ended mixed. On Thursday, the Dow rose 0.1%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.1% and the Nasdaq fell 0.5%, leaving tech under renewed scrutiny going into Friday’s session.

Consumer sentiment offered a fresh macro reading

The same-morning catalyst for the latest move came from the University of Michigan’s final June consumer sentiment reading. The index improved to 49.5 from 44.8 in May, while year-ahead inflation expectations eased to 4.6% from 4.8%.

University of Michigan survey director Joanne Hsu said high prices remain a major concern for consumers and continue to weigh on personal finances. Traders were watching the report for clues on how households are viewing inflation and spending conditions as the market tries to gauge the path of interest rates.

What traders are watching next

The immediate question is whether the Dow and S&P 500 can keep their gains into the close or fade again. Another key focus is whether the Nasdaq can stabilize if semiconductor weakness eases later in the session.

Investors are also watching for further confirmation on the OpenAI IPO-delay report and any official response. More broadly, Friday’s trading will help show whether the early tech selloff was a short-lived rotation or the start of a broader pullback in AI-linked stocks.