Major U.S. equities indexes pushed higher on the final day of an eventful week in the markets.
Friday’s gains came as the latest Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data—a gauge of inflation closely monitored by the Federal Reserve—showed price increases decelerating in November versus the previous month. Investors hoping for signals that the Fed will follow this week’s interest-rate reduction with additional cuts in 2025 welcomed the reading.
The S&P 500 popped 1.1% higher, clawing back a portion of the losses posted earlier in the week as the Fed struck a cautious tone regarding next year’s policy moves. The Dow and the Nasdaq were up 1.2% and 1%, respectively.
Shares of solar technology provider Enphase Energy (ENPH) rose 8.6%, gaining the most of any S&P 500 stock, after OTR Global lifted its view on the stock to “mixed” from “negative.” According to channel-checks by the market research firm, Enphase is benefitting as competitor SolarEdge (SEDG) experiences a drop in U.S. orders for …