U.S. stocks closed at an all-time high Friday, another milestone in the market's remarkable recovery from a springtime plunge caused by  could harm the economy.
The S&P 500 rose 32.05 points, or 0.5%, to 6,173.07, finishing the week above its previous record set in February. The key measure of Wall Street’s health fell nearly 20% from February 19 through April 8.
Traders Ryan Falvey, left, and Robert Charmak work Friday on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
The market's complete turnaround from its deep swoon happened in about half the time that it normally takes, said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.
“Investors will breathe a sigh of relief,†he said.
The Dow soared 432.43 points, or 1%, to 43,819.27, and the Nasdaq jumped 105.55 points, or 0.5%, to 20,273.46.
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President Donald Trump’s decision Friday to halt trade talks with Canada threatened to derail Wall Street’s run to a record, but the market steadied.
The gains Friday were broad, with nearly every sector within the S&P 500 rising.  for the biggest gain on the market, despite warning of a steep hit from tariffs.
Tech stocks are driving a renewed market rally, with the Nasdaq 100 hitting record highs as investors return to growth amid easing tariff fears and persistent enthusiasm for AI. Nvidia nears a 4 trillion dollar valuation, with analysts like Wedbush’s Dan Ives predicting it could reach 5–6 trillion dollars as AI use cases expand. mi·zoo·ows Jordan Klein sees Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta offering value despite recent gains. Capital Economics notes tech remains below peak levels, suggesting room for continued upside. The rally has broadened beyond tech, with industrials, financials, and consumer discretionary stocks also rebounding, signaling strong market breadth. Wall Street strategists see robust fundamentals supporting Big Tech’s leadership, advising investors to stay focused despite lingering geopolitical and rate concerns.
The broader market seemingly shook off fears about the Israel-Iran war disrupting the global supply of crude oil and sending prices higher, and oil prices fell back to pre-conflict levels.  is still in place.
The price of crude oil in the U.S. rose 0.4% to $65.52 a barrel Friday.
Investors also are monitoring potential progress on trade conflicts between the U.S. and the world, specifically with China. The U.S. and China signed a  that will make it easier for American firms to obtain magnets and  from China that are critical to manufacturing and microchip production, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday.
China’s Commerce Ministry also said that the two sides “further confirmed the details of the framework†for their trade talks but did not explicitly mention an agreement to ensure U.S. access to rare earths, saying it will review and approve “eligible export applications for controlled items.â€
Gene Goldman, Chief Investment Officer at Cetera, joins TheStreet to explain why inflation isn’t getting better any time soon.
´¡²ÔÌýÂ in May, though the rate mostly matched economists' projections.
The U.S. has 10% baseline tariffs on all imported goods, along with higher rates for Chinese goods and other import taxes on steel and autos. The threat of more severe tariffs continues to hang over the economy.Â
The Federal Reserve is monitoring the tariff situation with a big focus on inflation. The rate of inflation has been stubbornly sitting just above the central bank's target of 2%. In a report Friday, its preferred gauge, the personal consumption expenditures index, rose to 2.3% in May. That's up from 2.1% the previous month.
In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.27% from 4.24% late Thursday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for what the Fed will do, edged up to 3.74% from late Thursday.
Stocks in Europe were mostly higher, while stocks in Asia finished mixed.
Over 60% of small business owners choose online business insurance
Over 60% of small business owners choose online business insurance
Speed and convenience are driving small business owners to go digital with their business operations, including small business insurance. And a recent survey shows that they're increasingly turning to digital platforms that let them research, compare and buy coverage without an agent and 100% online.
surveyed 1,500 nationwide small business owners in January 2025 to better understand this shift in how they buy insurance. Here's what the survey found.
61% of small business owners buy business insurance online
The old ways of buying business insurance — meeting with an agent in person or on the phone — are becoming less desirable for busy business owners. And digital methods, such as buying 100% online or adding insurance through online payroll and financial services, are king.
More than half of survey respondents — 61% in total — now report they're buying online either directly through an insurance company or through a financial service. This tips the scales over the 40% who report they're still using traditional brokers or agents.
An earlier reports similar results. It found 48% of small businesses prefer to buy insurance online. Half of the respondents buy insurance online directly from the company, while 28% use comparison sites or apps. Only 10% said they would use a broker or agent website.
One in four business owners research business insurance online
Small business owners are becoming more DIY when learning about their business insurance needs.
NEXT's survey revealed that 24% of participants (roughly one in four) researched online before buying coverage for their business. Just 17% relied on an insurance agent for background information on which types of insurance they require.
To address this shift, insurers should upgrade their digital presence and educational resources, and develop guides to help business owners make informed decisions.
Those running their own business also relied on a few other channels for learning, including friends, families, mentors and colleagues (13%), as well as professional groups, trade associations, business schools and learning programs (each a source of valuable information for 8% of respondents).
Three-way split for why people insure their small business
Motivation to buy small business insurance falls into three buckets pretty evenly for survey participants. Three main reasons to shop and buy stand out, including:
- Legal compliance (22%): Some business owners choose to buy the least amount of insurance needed; just enough to stay compliant with the law.
- Maximum protection (21%): These owners want the most amount of insurance protection they can afford against multiple risks. They tend to invest in a broad portfolio of insurance.
- Selective risk coverage (21%): An equal number of small business insurance buyers prioritize just the policies to safeguard their operations against targeted risks.
The results suggest insurers must offer flexible, tailored insurance solutions that cater to small business owners' varying priorities, budgets and risk appetites. A one-size-fits-all business insurance model simply does not work.
Interestingly, and in accordance with , just about a third of those asked (36%) feel that they do not need small business insurance in the workplace.
The business insurance knowledge gap — and coverage gap — persists
NEXT research has repeatedly found that small business owners don't know enough about their small business insurance needs and lack the coverage they require.
We found previously that 90% of small business owners lack confidence in their insurance adequacy. And 96% of owners failed to demonstrate a basic understanding of , one of the most common policies sought after by those who own a business.
Another performed earlier in 2025 found that 38% lacked insurance in 2025, up from 29% the previous year.
Our most recent data shows that 36% of respondents feel small business insurance is unnecessary, highlighting insufficient awareness of risks and coverage benefits.
This significant knowledge gap leaves small businesses vulnerable to unexpected risks and liabilities.
5 tips to make the most of small business insurance
Based on what we've learned in the field, small business owners need to take action to secure the right coverage for their needs.
Use these five tips to guide you:
- Rely on digital tools. Use online resources to compare business insurance policies and get customized quotes that fit your needs.
- Ask for a customized policy. Don't settle for generic coverage. Customize your policies and request flexible options to match your specific risks. Don't pay for coverage you don't need.
- Seek transparency. Request clear, simple explanations from insurers regarding policy terms, pricing and claims processes to prevent gaps and surprises.
- Understand your risk exposure. Seek coverage beyond just the legal requirement. Conduct a to define the right coverage level for your business, location and the work that you do.
- Prioritize education. Look for insurers that offer educational tools and guidance to simplify insurance decisions.
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