Stocks recover, S&P 500 poised for positive finish

Stocks had a mixed day on the market. President Donald Trump's comments about his tariff plan brought some relief. He mentioned "flexibility" in the plan, which investors saw as a potential for exemptions or adjustments. This helped the S&P 500 move up slightly, aiming for a positive week after four weeks of losses. In the Investing Club portfolio, CrowdStrike stood out as the top stock performer despite the tech sector's overall decline. The cybersecurity company's recent good conversations with analysts boosted their outlook. The energy sector also did well, rising nearly 3%. Coterra Energy contributed positively within this group. The financial sector showed recovery too, with all four stocks in the portfolio ending on a positive note. Capital One Financial rebounded despite concerns about its merger with Discover. Analysts suggested selling parts of its subprime business could ease regulatory worries. Healthcare stocks like Bristol Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly performed well, while Danaher lagged but received an upgrade. However, the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks struggled, with only Apple managing a positive week. Nvidia's stock fell despite positive announcements from its CEO. Looking ahead, no portfolio stocks are scheduled to report earnings next week. However, notable companies like KB Home and Lululemon will report, with Jefferies' earnings expected to be particularly insightful about investment banking trends. Upcoming economic reports include consumer confidence and the Fed's preferred inflation measure. Investors are keeping a close eye on these indicators as they can influence market decisions.