S&P 500 Achieves Longest Winning Streak in 20 Years Amid Job Growth and Trade Optimism

U.S. stocks surged to close the week, with the S&P 500 achieving its longest winning streak in over 20 years, driven by better-than-expected jobs data and encouraging signals from China regarding trade negotiations. The Dow and Nasdaq also posted strong gains, as the latest Labor Department report showed the U.S. added 177,000 jobs in April, surpassing forecasts and helping to ease recession concerns. Investor sentiment improved further after China indicated a willingness to address U.S. concerns and potentially begin formal trade talks if certain tariffs are rolled back, marking a shift from previous tense rhetoric. The S&P 500's rally erased losses incurred since the announcement of new tariffs in early April, while the market's volatility index dropped for the fourth consecutive week. Despite these gains, investors remain cautious, closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook and ongoing trade developments. The recent optimism was tempered somewhat by mixed Big Tech earnings, but the overall momentum was fueled by hopes of economic resilience and a possible thaw in U.S.-China trade relations.