Nasdaq Clings to Gains; Major Indexes Mark Weekly Gains

The Dow settled lower on Friday, with the fragile two-week ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. weighing too much. President Donald Trump accused Iran of “short-term extortion" and warned the country not to charge fees to oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz, with traffic still low. Meanwhile, Iran said peace negotiations would happen until Israel stops attacking Lebanon and the U.S. releases Tehran’s frozen assets.

While the Nasdaq secured an eighth-straight gain -- its best streak since August 2024 --  the S&P 500 snapped its seven-day win streak. All three major benchmarks enjoyed their first back-to-back weekly gains of 2026, while the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) marked a fourth weekly loss in five.

• Checking in with this top stock pick of 2026.
• Call traders: Watch Interactive Brokers Group stock.
• Plus, photonics stock rallying; chip stock nabs bull note; and this week's big movers.

5 Things to Know Today

1. Ireland is protesting higher fuel prices, with three of its main refineries and terminals blockaded and traffic in Dublin stopped as pumps run dry. (CNBC)
2. A suspect was taken into custody after allegedly attacking the San Francisco home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman with a molotov cocktail. (The Wall Street Journal)
3. Photonics stock enjoying strong AI demand.
4. Bull notes sends SanDisk stock to more records.
5. Looking back on this week's winners and losers.

There were no notable earnings reports today.

Oil Prices Cool Amid U.S. Demands

Oil prices cooled on Friday, after President Trump demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is still mostly shuttered despite the ceasefire. Front-month May-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 1.5% to finish at $96.37 per barrel, and shed 13% this week.

Gold prices settled modestly lower as traders continued to monitor negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. April-dated gold fell 0.2% to finish at $4,808 an ounce for the day, but added 2.6% for the week.