US Stocks Fall Amid Fed Nominee Worries, Inflation, and Mixed Earnings

• US stocks closed lower on Friday due to investor concerns over President Trump's hawkish Federal Reserve nominee, Kevin Warsh.
• Investors also reacted to mixed earnings reports, with Apple shares recovering slightly while Microsoft and Meta saw declines.
• Higher-than-expected producer prices in December fueled inflation worries, suggesting potential future price increases.
• Concerns about a potential US government shutdown and geopolitical tensions with countries like Iran also weighed on market sentiment.
• The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all experienced declines, though some sectors like defensive consumer staples advanced.

Why It Matters: US stocks declined as investors grappled with Fed nominee uncertainty, inflation fears, and varied corporate earnings.