U.S. equities delivered a mixed performance on Friday, as a significant sell-off in a major chipmaker tempered broader gains driven by a resilient technology sector and stabilizing geopolitical sentiment.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.58 percent to 49,098.71. The S and P 500 added 0.03 percent to 6,915.61, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.28 percent to 23,501.24.
Sector performance was largely positive, with seven of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors finishing in the green. Materials and consumer discretionary led the gainers, advancing 0.86 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively. However, the financial and industrial sectors faced headwinds, declining 1.38 percent and 0.80 percent.
The technology sector saw a sharp divergence in performance. Industry leaders such as Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia supported the Nasdaq's rise, gaining more than 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively, alongside a boost for Microsoft.
In contrast, Intel shares plummeted 17.03 percent, marking their worst session since August 2024, after the company issued a weak first-quarter outlook. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan informed analysts that the firm is struggling to meet product demand and that production efficiency remains below targets, describing the turnaround as a "multiyear journey."
Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs warned that the massive Arctic storm approaching the United States could severely disrupt natural gas supplies. This potential supply shock comes at a time when domestic heating demand is projected to surge.
In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note continued its slight downward trend, slipping below 4.24 percent. Market participants are now bracing for a pivotal week ahead, featuring a high concentration of corporate earnings reports alongside the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.
Political attention is also focused on the central bank's leadership, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has concluded interviews for the next Federal Reserve chair and intends to name a successor to Jerome Powell "soon."
U.S. stocks finish mixed as Intel plunge offsets tech gains
Serbia's Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamocic hailed the surge in exports to China following the launch of a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) in recent years, calling the pact a strategic relationship of mutual vision and voicing optimism for deeper bilateral cooperation.
The FTA between China and Serbia, signed in October 2023 and implemented on July 1, 2024, eliminates tariffs on roughly 90 percent of bilateral trade. More than 60 percent of goods became duty-free immediately upon its entry into force, marking a decisive step in deepening economic ties.
He said the agreement has reshaped Serbia’s trade profile, fueling a 69-percent jump in agricultural exports while accelerating imports of Chinese technologies and farm mechanization.
"The relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia, I would describe as a long-term, strategic relationship of mutual political and clear economic vision.The Free Trade Agreement between our countries was signed in 2023. It was introduced in 2024. As a result, our trade exchange has greatly improved, especially in the field of agriculture. We can say from that moment our exports to China grew for 69 percent. We have also made easier the import of certain things, such as mechanization and digital technologies, from the People's Republic of China to Serbia," said Glamocic.
"Our traditional products, such as wine, our domestic brandy, our honey, dried plums, frozen raspberries, similarly, imports of modern technologies from China are increasing, mechanization also, which really improves our agriculture business in Serbia. So I am an optimist that it will get better and better every day," he added.
The minister spoke highly of Serbia's partnership with China and voiced hope for broader cooperation in the future.
"What I would expect from China is that we sometimes try to speed up these procedures as much as possible. It is especially an honor for us when such a small country has such a status in the People's Republic of China. We were the first country to sign this type of strategic document in Europe, and we have reached the highest possible level among the two countries," he said.
Serbian agriculture minister reports record export growth to China
