Stocks Close Higher Following Positive Jobs Report; Major Indexes See Second Consecutive Week of Growth

The S&P 500 saw some significant movers today, with Amgen leading the way higher with an 11.8% gain. The biopharmaceutical company’s stock surged amid optimism about its experimental weight-loss drug MariTide and strong earnings. GE Vernova and Enphase Energy also posted gains, adding 8.1% and 7.7% respectively.

On the flip side, Expedia Group saw the heaviest losses among S&P 500 stocks, plunging 15.3% after lowering its full-year guidance. Fortinet and Paramount Global also experienced losses, dropping 9.7% and 7.0% respectively.

In other news, Apple made headlines with its blockbuster $110 billion stock buyback program, the largest in recent history. The tech giant’s dominance in share repurchases surpasses that of its rivals, with no other U.S. company breaking into the top five.

Investors are also eagerly anticipating Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting tomorrow, where Warren Buffett will address questions about the company’s first-quarter earnings and succession planning in the wake of Charlie Munger’s passing.

Overall, the market is showing optimism as stock futures rise ahead of the latest jobs report. Dow Jones futures were up 0.7%, S&P 500 futures up 0.4%, and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.6% minutes before the release of the data.

Stay tuned for more updates on these market movers and the latest developments in the financial world.