"Stocks Volatile, Fed in Focus: Weekly Slide Ends Lower"

US stocks ended the week lower as the major indexes failed to build on a Thursday rally. The S&P 500 finished down 1.2%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped by 0.8%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite plunged 1.6%. Concerns about the world's second-largest economy eased as China reported that its economy picked up steam last month. The United Auto Workers union launched a historic strike at select Big Three automaker plants. Homebuyers are canceling deals at the highest rate in nearly a year due to elevated interest rates and home prices. The number of companies offering student loan repayments as part of their benefits package has doubled over the past year. Planet Fitness shares tumbled after CEO Chris Rondeau stepped down.