Dow Jones hits record 50,000 points for first time: What to know

Dow hits 50,000 for the first time ever

The Dow Jones Industrial Average topped the 50,000 level for the first time.

NEW YORK - The U.S. stock market roared back on Friday.

Dow Jones hits record

By the numbers:

The S&P 500 jumped 2% Friday for its best day since May. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared roughly 1,200 points and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite rallied 2.2%.

Bitcoin steadied following a weekslong plunge that had sent it more than halfway below its record price set in October. It climbed back above $70,000 after briefly dropping close to $60,000 late Thursday.

Prices in the metals market also calmed a bit following their own wild swings. Gold rose 1.8% to settle at $4,979.80 per ounce, while silver added 0.2%.

FILE - Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on Jan. 06, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

What they're saying:

In a post on his social media Truth Social, President Donald Trump celebrated the feat. 

"The Dow Jones Industrial Average just hit 50,000 for the first time in History," Trump wrote. "CONGRATULATIONS AMERICA!"

Why did Dow surge?

Dig deeper:

Chip companies helped drive the widespread rally, and Nvidia jumped 7.8% to trim its loss for the week, which came into the day at just over 10%. Broadcom climbed 7.1% and fully erased its drop for the week.

They were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500, and they benefited from hopes for continued spending by customers diving into artificial-intelligence technology. Amazon, for example, said late Thursday it expects to spend about $200 billion on investments this year to take advantage of "seminal opportunities like AI, chips, robotics, and low earth orbit satellites."