S&P 500 closes above 6,000 for the first time since February after positive jobs data

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U.S. stocks rallied sharply on Friday, with the S&P 500 closing above 6,000 for the first time since February 21, boosted by a stronger-than-expected jobs report and renewed investor optimism. The benchmark index ended the session at 6,000.36, up 1.03%, and just 2.3% below its record close of 6,144.15 set on February 19.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 442.88 points, or 1.05%, to 42,762.62, while the Nasdaq Composite advancing 231.50 points, or 1.20%, to 19,529.95.

Friday’s rally was driven in part by the U.S. Labor Department’s May employment report, which showed 139,000 jobs added, exceeding expectations, and an unchanged unemployment rate of 4.2%.

The data helped ease concerns about the economic impact of tariffs and supported the view that the Federal Reserve will not rush into interest rate cuts.

The technology stocks led the charge, with Tesla rebounding 3.8% after a sharp drop on Thursday. Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Nvidia, and Microsoft also posted gains. Palantir jumped 6.5%, topping S&P advancers, while chipmakers Marvell and Arm rose nearly 5% and 3%, respectively.

However, Broadcom slid 5% after its revenue outlook disappointed, and Lululemon tumbled nearly 20% following a trimmed profit forecast. The rally is seen as a key psychological milestone, signaling investor confidence.