October 18, 2025

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose Friday as traders digested the U.S.′ softening tone on its trade talks with China and tried to move past credit concerns that sparked a big sell-off in regional banks Thursday.

The Dow finished 238.37 points, or 0.52%, higher at 46,190.61. The S&P 500 settled up 0.53% at 6,664.01, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.52% to finish at 22,679.98.

Stocks extended their gains in afternoon trading after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would be speaking with his Chinese trade counterpart Friday evening. Trump also said from the White House that a meeting with China President Xi Jinping was still likely at the end of the month. The comments suggested the threat of 100% additional tariffs against China on Nov. 1 might not come to pass.

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