04:57 PM EDT, 07/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes rose this week, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite claiming new records after a trade deal with Japan imposed a lower-than-expected punitive import tariff and domestic economic data showed resilience.

* The S&P 500 closed at 6,388.64 on Friday versus 6,296.79 a week ago. The Nasdaq Composite stood at 21,108.32 compared with 20,895.66, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended at 44,901.92 versus 44,342.19. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq scaled multiple new record highs, and the Dow stepped closer to its all-time peak.

* Healthcare, basic materials, and utilities led gainers this week, while technology emerged as the steepest decliner among sectors, proof that markets can go higher without the Mag-7 leadership as the Q2 earnings season unfolds. Nvidia ( NVDA ) gained 0.6%, Microsoft ( MSFT ) was up 0.7%, and Apple (AAPL) advanced 1.3%, while Tesla (TSLA) fell 4.1%. Meta Platforms ( META ) and Amazon.com ( AMZN ) rose 1.2% and 2.4%, respectively.

* US Treasury yields bottomed on Tuesday, the day on which President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Japan. Investors lauded the 15% punitive levy, below the 25% duty expected, and the inclusion of Japanese automobiles in the lower tariff rate.

* US initial jobless claims fell for a sixth straight week, along with a decline in the four-week moving average. The July flash reading of manufacturing conditions from S&P Global fell to a seven-month low.

* The Japan trade pact could serve as a template for an agreement with the European Union, especially the 15% tariff rate. Trump reportedly said there is a 50/50 chance of striking a deal with the EU, with both parties "working very diligently" to reach an agreement by the Aug. 1 deadline.

* During a visit to the Fed's headquarters, Trump reportedly indicated he was not considering removing Chair Jerome Powell from his position, a position already expressed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.