​​​​​ISTANBUL

The New York Stock Exchange ended the last trading day of the week with gains amid easing concerns about US-China trade tensions and the health of the banking sector.

The Dow was up 0.52%, or 238.37 points, to close at 46,190.61.

The Nasdaq rose 0.52%, or 117.44 points, to close at 22,679.97, while the S&P 500 increased 0.53%, or 34.94 points, to 6,664.01.

The Volatility Index (VIX), also known as the "fear index," dropped 17.9% to 20.78.

Concerns about banks' loan portfolios increased this week after the regional banks Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance announced irregularities in some loans, causing regional bank stocks to fall sharply Thursday.

On Friday, however, Zions' shares gained about 6% and Western Alliance's shares added 3%.

Despite the concerns, the US banking sector remains sound and recent problems are not expected to turn into a systemic crisis.

Following China's restrictions on exports of rare earth elements, US President Donald Trump's threat of additional tariffs on China and subsequent developments were also monitored.

Trump said in an interview Friday that the 100% tariff he threatened to impose on China was unsustainable. “I think we’re going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It’s got to be fair.”

Speaking at the White House, Trump said he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in a few weeks to make a deal.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said he would meet with his Chinese counterpart and he plans to meet a Chinese delegation in Malaysia next week.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said China's plan to impose export controls on rare earth elements would have an effect on global economic growth.