The U.S. stock market closed higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching fresh records, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a modest decline. The S&P 500 gained 21.11 points (+0.29%) to close at 7,230.12, the Nasdaq Composite added 222.13 points (+0.89%) to reach 25,114.44, and the Dow Jones fell 152.87 points (-0.31%) to 49,499.27. The broad-based rally was driven by strong performances in technology stocks, particularly Apple, which saw its shares jump on the back of solid earnings. The Nasdaq's record-breaking close marked its first time crossing the 25,000 threshold. Oil prices, which had been elevated earlier in the week, showed signs of cooling, contributing to the market's positive tone. The overall sentiment was risk-on, with investors favoring growth-oriented sectors amid expectations of slower economic growth and higher inflation. Notable themes from the headlines included the continued strength of the AI trade, with two AI stocks experiencing sell-offs, and a surprise in the data center sector that sent Qualcomm shares up 15%. The market's performance was uneven, with the Dow's decline reflecting some caution in financials and industrials.