Dow Jones Hits Record High Amid Market Volatility

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2025 — The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time high on Thursday, closing above 48,000 for the first time as investors reacted to signs of an impending end to the U.S. government shutdown. The milestone came amidst mixed performances from other major indexes, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 lagging.

The Dow closed at 48,254.82, up 326.86 points or about 0.7%, while the S&P 500 inched up 0.1% to 6,850.92. However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq slipped 0.3% to 23,384.46. The uplift in the Dow was supported by major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and UnitedHealth, both rising significantly.

“The market has been quite volatile, especially in the tech sector, which has dominated investor sentiment recently,” said market analyst Mike Mussio. “However, there seems to be renewed confidence in the broader market, particularly with the end of the shutdown in sight.”

On Wednesday, AMD, a semiconductor company, surged nearly 10% following strong sales projections due to increased demand for AI technology. Despite this, concerns linger around the valuations of big tech stocks.

Traders turned their attention to Washington, where a continuing resolution bill was expected to pass, potentially restoring government operations after a lengthy standoff. This shutdown has previously hindered key economic reporting.

“The impact of the shutdown has created a fog over the market,” said Carol Schleif, chief market strategist at BMO Private Wealth. “Once the data starts trickling back in, we’ll see how it impacts the overall economic outlook.”

Amid this backdrop, discussions around inflation and interest rates continue. The Federal Reserve is expected to keep a close eye on upcoming economic indicators, with a potential interest rate decision approaching in December.

Additionally, markets responded cautiously to inflation shaping up in various sectors, amid a broader economic reassessment. Investors are focusing on how these developments will affect tech stocks as earnings guidance emerges.

Mussio noted that “despite current volatility, if upcoming data indicates stability in the labor market and consumer spending, we could see a robust year-end rally.”