S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq today: US stocks started off 2026 on a positive note on Friday, with investors leaning back into technology shares and reacting to policy and economic signals that helped lift sentiment.
US equities opened 2026 on a cautious note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq essentially flat as strength in semiconductors offset weakness elsewhere in technology. The Dow Jones found some footing on Friday after an early plunge through the overnight session, holding steady near where the first trading day of 2026 started.
Looking ahead,
Elon Musk’s Tesla has lost its position as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer to China’s BYD.
This comes after Tesla’s annual sale fell for a second consecutive year due to stronger competition, end of US tax credits and damage to its brand,
» Read more about: Tesla stock falls as BYD overtakes in global EV sales »
By DAMIAN TROISE, AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wavered on Wall Street Friday to kick off the new year as early gains led by technology stocks failed to hold up.
The S&P 500 fell 0.1% after having been up as much as 0.7% at the start of trading.
» Read more about: Wall Street joins global markets in upbeat start to 2026 »
In the new year, many Social Security rules are taking effect, affecting Americans’ benefit amounts, the full retirement age and more.
Some of the changes arrive courtesy of inflation adjustments, but the exact benefit amount could vary based on the recipient’s earnings circumstances.
More than 70 million Americans rely on Social Security payments each month,
» Read more about: Full List of New Social Security Rules Taking Effect This Month »
The Dow Jones 30 looks like it is hanging around the 48,000 level and collecting more buyers as we have rallied slightly in the early part of the session. Given enough time, I think we’re probably going to try to get that big psychological number of 50,000.
All sectors contribute to the S&P 500’s strong year, Apple struggles with the Vision Pro, and more…
| Wednesday’s Markets |
|---|
| S&P 500 6,846 (-0.74%) |
| Nasdaq 23,242 (-0.76%) |
| Dow 48,063 (-0.63%) |
| Bitcoin $87,605 (-0.52%) |
Source: Image created by Jester AI.
» Read more about: Breakfast News: The S&P 500's Golden Year »
© JasonDoiy / Getty Images
The semiconductor stocks might have endured a bumpier ride in the second half of 2025, but there might be no slowing them down as 2026 kicks off and a new slate of AI trends looks to reignite enthusiasm for many of the stocks that have sold off in recent weeks.
» Read more about: Where Does Nvidia and the Semiconductor Stocks Stand Going Into 2026? »
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Tesla on Friday reported a second straight annual drop in electric vehicle sales, as the phaseout of a $7,500 federal EV tax credit and mounting competition weighed on demand. With the decline, Tesla lost its title as the world’s bestselling electric vehicle maker.
The company said it delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025,