US stocks rose on Friday, setting the Dow up for an eighth straight day of gains as investors waited for a parade of Fed speakers to test a growing confidence that a rate cut is on the way.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) climbed roughly 0.2%, with the benchmark S&P 500 (^GSPC) gaining about 0.3% on the heels of closing above 5,200 for the first time in a month. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also jumped around 0.2% at the opening bell.
The blue-chip Dow has powered higher, scoring its longest win streak this year as stocks made a comeback from April’s doldrums. Growing conviction that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates earlier than expected — given recent signs of a cooling labor market — has buoyed the rally.
Read more: How does the labor market affect inflation?
Given that, investors will listen closely to speeches from a packed line-up of Fed speakers…