S&P 500 clinches first record close of 2025, Dow pops after Trump takes spotlight at Davos

S&P 500 nabs fresh record after Trump speech

It was a winning day on Wall Street as investors digested remarks from President Donald Trump, who addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) jumped over 0.5% to secure its first all-time closing high of 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) popped around 0.9%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) recovered from earlier session losses to finish the day up about 0.2%.

Earlier on Thursday, the president said he will “demand that interest rates drop immediately.” He also said he will ask OPEC to bring down the price of oil.

UnitedHealth Group announces replacement of slain executive

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) announced Thursday it’s promoting the head of its Medicare health plan business to take over the company’s top insurance job, previously held by slain executive Brian Thompson.

According to UNH, Tim Noel will now lead the company’s broader insurance division. He first joined the company in 2007.

Noel “brings unparalleled experience to this role with a proven track record and strong commitment to improving how health care works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments and our other partners,” UNH said in a statement.

Thompson was killed outside of an investor day meeting in New York City on Dec. 4. Luigi Mangione was arrested for the murder days after the attack.

Shares were up over 1% in late afternoon trading on the heels of the announcement.