Stock Market Today: Dow, Nasdaq ride rate-cut optimism to clinch record close

Investing.com -- The Dow and Nasdaq clinched record closes Friday, amid optimism for rate cuts next year even as a Federal Reserve official attempted to pour cold water on aggressive rate cuts next year.

By 16:00 ET (21:00 GMT), The Nasdaq 100climbed 0.3% to close at record of 16,623.45, above its prior record close on Nov. 21 of 16,573.34. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1%, or x points to a record close for third straight session.  The S&P 500 index closed 0.1% lower, but notched its seventh-straight weekly win.

Fed Williams attempts to dent aggressive rate-cut hopes 

New York Fed President John Williams told CNBC in an interview Friday that talk of rate cuts is still "premature" and the central bank could still tighten policy if needed. The New Fed president's remarks rein in some of the aggressive bets on rate cuts markets are expecting for next year, boosting Treasury yields. 

The yield on the 2-year Treasury, which is sensitive to Fed policy decision, rose 5 basis points to 4.451%, while the U.S. 10-year yield fell 2 bps to 3.915%.

On the economic front, manufacturing activity fell more than expected in December, but services activity, which makes up the bulk of the inflation, increased by more than expected. 

Costco delivers Q1 beat as demand for cheaper goods boosts results; Lennar falters on margin guidance

Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) stock rose 4.5% after the membership-only retailer posted quarterly sales and profit that beat projections after the close Thursday, helped by demand for cheaper groceries. It also rolled out a special dividend to shareholders.

Costco has moved to keep prices low in a bid to entice budget-conscious shoppers wary of overspending during a time of elevated inflation and interest rates.

Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) fell more than 3% after its better-than-expected Q4 results were overshadowed by margin guidance for Q1 amid uncertainty about the interest rate backdrop that have have kept mortgage rates elevate.

The weaker-than-expected margin guidance likely "reflects F4Q23 orders with mortgage rate buydowns set to close in F1Q24," Wedbush said in a note.

Docusign reportedly mulling sale; Darden Restaurants revenue guidance weighs

DocuSign Inc (NASDAQ:DOCU) rose more than 12% after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company is mulling a sale. 

Talks on a potential sale are in the early stages, according to the report, and the company could potentially attract interest from private equity or tech companies. 

Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE:DRI), meanwhile, reported Q2 results that topped Wall Street estimates, but the parent of the Olive Garden restaurant chain full-year sales guidance fell short of estimates, sending the stock slightly lower. 

The company lifted its earnings guidance for the full fiscal year, but said it expects full-year sales of $11.5B, compared with a previous forecast range of $11.5B to $11.6B.

Crude prices notch first weekly gain in two months

{{8849|Oil prices} settled lower Friday, but notched the first weekly gain in two months, boosted by increased optimism over demand growth next year as well as a weaker dollar.

Energy stocks ended the day lower, with Coterra Energy Inc (NYSE:CTRA), Marathon Petroleum Corp (NYSE:MPC) and Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE:KMI) the main laggards on the day.