US stocks experienced a mixed performance on Friday, with the S&P 500 slightly dipping after an initial gain, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a modest increase of 0.4%. The Nasdaq Composite also turned downward, slipping 0.4%. The market frenzy that followed Nvidia's blowout earnings and subsequent surge added a staggering $277 billion to the chipmaker's market value, propelling the company past a $2 trillion valuation.

Meanwhile, speculation about a potential US interest rate cut looms as Federal Reserve officials hinted at future cuts, although the exact timing remains uncertain. The fourth-quarter earnings season is drawing to a close, with over one-third of reports surpassing expectations. Block shares soared by 16% following a positive earnings forecast, while Carvana's stock surged approximately 30% after reporting its first annual profit.

On the other hand, Warner Bros Discovery faced challenges as its shares plummeted over 12% due to lower fourth-quarter revenue, particularly from a decline in advertising revenue across its networks segment. Legacy media companies, including Disney and Fox, are grappling with shifting market landscapes as tech giants reap the benefits of an anticipated ad spending rebound this year.

Additionally, Walmart investors anticipate the company's first 3-for-1 stock split in 50 years, aiming to make shares more accessible to its employees. This follows a series of employee-friendly initiatives, such as stock grants for store managers and a higher starting base pay rate. As Walmart's CFO highlighted, investing in associates aligns with the company's growth strategy.

The market also awaits Reddit's potential IPO, emphasizing a juxtaposition of its traditional ad revenue model with new AI training content licensing. Reddit shareholders, including AI kingmaker Sam Altman and Tencent, indicate interest despite the platform's significant losses in recent years. CEO Steve Huffman's compensation for 2023 stands at $193.2 million, with vesting conditions tied to achieving a $5.0 billion market capitalization following the IPO. The mention of the past GameStop and AMC meme stock trading saga serves as a risk factor for investors eyeing Reddit's financial performance.