U.S. Stocks Rise on Friday, Intel Surges Over 10%
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 12 2026
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Source: Benzinga
- Market Sentiment Improvement: The CNN Money Fear & Greed Index rose from 47.2 to 50.6, indicating a shift towards neutral sentiment, which may attract more investors and bolster market confidence.
- Employment Data Impact: December nonfarm payrolls increased by 50,000, slightly below the expected 60,000, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 4.4%, suggesting potential stabilization in the labor market that could influence future monetary policy.
- Strong Stock Market Performance: The Dow Jones gained approximately 238 points, closing at 49,504.07, while the S&P 500 rose 0.65% to 6,966.28 and the Nasdaq climbed 0.81% to 23,671.35, reflecting investor optimism regarding economic recovery.
- Intel Stock Surge: Following President Trump's meeting with CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel's stock jumped over 10%, reaching its highest level since March 2024, indicating strong market confidence in the company's future prospects.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
