US Stocks Edge Up, Ending Quiet Week Before US-China Talks

Stock prices in the US experienced a small increase during the last trading day of the week. The S&P 500 index increased by 0.4% to reach near weekly equilibrium following recent market fluctuations while the Dow Jones gained 120 points and Nasdaq rose 0.6%. Market participants paid attention to the upcoming US-China trade negotiations in Switzerland because they followed President Trump's implementation of 145% tariffs on Chinese products which started the trade conflict. The market reacted minimally to Trump's Friday proposal of an 80% tariff reduction from 145% because S&P 500 futures increased 0.2% and Nasdaq futures rose 0.3%. The Chinese export data showed an 8.1% increase in April yet exports to the US decreased by 20% because of tariffs. The earnings reports from Expedia caused its stock price to drop 10% after the company reduced its bookings outlook because US travel demand decreased by 7%. The travel industry companies Hilton and Airbnb together with other firms observed decreasing customer demand. The negotiations between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials seek to reduce trade tensions yet experts predict that tariff-related price increases and supply chain problems will extend the talks.