All eyes were on Apple after the bell. Earnings came in just after 4:30 pm and the technology company beat on both revenue and earnings per share.
Apple reported earnings of $3.89 versus estimates of $3.86, and revenue was reported at $88.3 billion versus estimates of $87.3 billion. Tim Cook said, "iPhone X surpassed our expectations and has been our top-selling iPhone every week since it shipped."
The company also reported a record $285.1 billion in cash reserves.
Bud Light's parent company expressed confidence Thursday that its U.S. market share has stabilized after a promotion with a transgender influencer cost it sales.
Earnings kicked off into high gear as Anheuser-Busch posted results on Thursday as Apple and Amazon are set to announce their financials later in the day.
Investors weren't jolted by the downgrade because they already know the fractured state of U.S. politics, the size of the country's public debt, and the challenges it faces to pay for Social Security, Medicare and other expenses.
