Stock Market Rollercoaster: Nvidia and Bitcoin Take the Wheel

The stock market had a wild ride on Friday. It started with a big drop but then bounced back. The S&P 500, which tracks a big chunk of the market, ended the day with a tiny loss. The Nasdaq, home to many tech giants, actually finished in the green. The Dow Jones, however, took a bigger hit, though not as bad as it looked earlier. Nvidia, the star of the AI world, was a major player in this drama. Its stock took a nosedive at the start but then soared back up. This rollercoaster ride pulled the rest of the market along with it. Critics have been saying that stocks, especially those in the hot AI sector, are overpriced. Nvidia's stock has more than doubled in the last five years, and it's still up a lot this year.Despite the ups and downs, the S&P 500 is still close to its record high from late last month. Experts say that market drops are just part of the game. Outside of tech, Walmart's stock took a small hit after announcing its CEO will retire next year. Nvidia's upcoming profit report is a big deal. If it doesn't meet expectations, the market could take another tumble. Nvidia's size means its stock moves can really shake things up. Lower interest rates could also make stocks look less expensive, but inflation is still a concern. The Fed has cut rates twice already, but a third cut in December is now uncertain. Bitcoin and gold also had a rough day. Bitcoin dropped back to where it was in May, while gold sank after hitting record highs earlier in the year. Overseas, stock markets in Europe and Asia also took a hit. South Korea's market had one of the biggest drops worldwide.