US stock market today: Benchmark indices on Wall Street moved higher on Friday, recovering some of the ground lost during a volatile week. The bond market, which has remained the main source of turbulence on Wall Street, was still unsettled, but the swings in Treasury yields had moderated compared with earlier in the week, helping financial markets remain relatively stable.The S&P 500 gained 0.3% and was headed for only its second advance in the six sessions since reaching a record high last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 250 points, or 0.5%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.3%.Ross Stores was among the stocks leading the gains, advancing 3.8% after the retailer reported quarterly profit and revenue above analysts’ forecasts. CEO Jim Conroy said the company had attracted more new customers while also seeing stronger engagement from existing shoppers. The off-price retailer also benefited from refunds related to tariffs.Most US companies have delivered stronger-than-expected spring earnings, helping fuel the stock market’s recent advance to record levels, according to an AP report. Over longer periods, stock prices generally tend to track the direction of corporate profits.Interest rates are another major influence on equities, although they have been considerably more volatile.Treasury yields climbed sharply through the summer before becoming less decisive earlier this week after the US Treasury Department unexpectedly announced plans to increase its purchases of longer-term bonds. Yields remained relatively stable on Friday.The 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.71% from 4.69% late Thursday. However, it had repeatedly moved between 4.68% and 4.71% during overnight trading and the early morning.Uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran and its impact on when oil tankers can again move freely out of the Persian Gulf continued to contribute to the fluctuations. Oil prices alternated between gains and losses, affecting Treasury yields because more expensive crude increases concerns over inflation.Brent crude rose 0.4% to $94.09 a barrel after moving repeatedly within a range of roughly $2.Bitcoin has been one of the notable beneficiaries of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s decision to expand planned Treasury repurchases. Cryptocurrencies often benefit when borrowing costs decline and liquidity in the financial system increases.Bitcoin climbed above $76,500, compared with less than $63,000 a week earlier.The rally also lifted cryptocurrency-related stocks, making them some of Wall Street’s strongest performers. Robinhood Markets jumped 8.8%, while Coinbase Global gained 7.8%.Markets overseas also mostly advanced across Asia and Europe. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.2%, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.9%, with both among the stronger moves globally.
