Stock markets across the U.S. and Europe ended the week on a high note following a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report for April. Despite a slowdown from March, the U.S. added 177,000 jobs—surpassing economist predictions of 130,000—signaling a more resilient economy amid the effects of President Trump’s tariffs. The S&P 500 rose 1.5% and the Dow Jones gained 1.3%, while European indices also closed higher: the UK’s FTSE 100 climbed 1.2%, hitting a record 15-day winning streak, and Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC increased by 2.5% and 2.3%, respectively. Notable growth occurred in healthcare and transportation sectors, while federal employment declined by 9,000, reflecting continued cuts by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. The overall unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2%.