Stock market today: S&P 500, Nasdaq notch fourth day of gains with next week's Fed meeting in focus

Market Overview - US stocks experienced gains on Friday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.19%, nearing its first record close since October, and the Nasdaq Composite increasing by approximately 0.3%, aiming for its ninth positive close in ten sessions [1] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose around 0.2%, following a mixed performance on Thursday [1] Interest Rate Expectations - Investors are heavily betting on a quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve next Wednesday, with traders pricing in 87% odds of a rate decrease, up from 62% a month ago [2] Inflation Data - A delayed reading of the PCE price index indicated that inflation rose as expected in September, with the "core" PCE index, the Fed's preferred measure, increasing by 2.8% on an annual basis [3] - US consumer confidence improved for the first time in five months, as respondents' inflation expectations showed positive signs [3] Labor Market Insights - The jobs market data presented mixed signals, with a Challenger report indicating that US companies cut 71,000 jobs last month, marking the worst November figure since 2022 [4] - Conversely, new weekly jobless claims fell to their lowest level since September 2022, suggesting a gradual cooling of the labor market rather than a rapid decline [4] Company News - Netflix announced its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's studios and streaming unit for $72 billion, following a competitive bidding process; Netflix's stock saw a slight decline, while WBD shares increased by 2% [5] - Hewlett Packard Enterprise's stock rose slightly after the company reported quarterly sales outlook that fell short of high AI-driven expectations [5]