S&P 500 Nears Record High, Nasdaq Climbs as Big Tech Drives Gains/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Wall Street climbed Tuesday morning with strong performances from major tech stocks like Nvidia and Micron. The S&P 500 approached its all-time high, while the Dow hit another record. Investors await labor market data and AI updates from the CES tech conference.
Wall Street and Big Tech Rally: Quick Looks
- S&P 500 rose 0.4%, nearing December’s record high
- Dow gained 158 points after hitting a new record Monday
- Nasdaq also rose 0.4%, lifted by tech stock strength
- Nvidia surged 1.5%, Micron jumped 7.4% on chip optimism
- Apple dipped 0.8%, slightly offsetting broader tech momentum
- AI focus sharpens with CES tech show underway in Las Vegas
- Oil prices fell 0.3% after spiking on Venezuela conflict
- 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.18%, two-year to 3.47%
- Gold climbed 1%, silver jumped 4.6% amid global uncertainty
- Investors watching closely for key U.S. labor market updates
S&P 500 Nears Record High, Nasdaq Climbs as Big Tech Drives Gains
Deep Look
Wall Street extended its positive momentum Tuesday morning, lifted by renewed investor enthusiasm for technology stocks. As of mid-morning trading, the S&P 500 rose 0.4%, closing in on its all-time high set in late December. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 158 points, or 0.3%, building on Monday’s record-setting session. The Nasdaq composite added 0.4%, reflecting growing strength in the tech sector.
Much of Tuesday’s market action was powered by Big Tech, with chipmakers leading the way. Nvidia, one of the market’s most heavily weighted companies, rose 1.5%, making it the single largest contributor to the broader index gains. Its influence, due to its enormous market valuation, continues to steer broader movements across Wall Street.
Micron Technology also delivered an impressive 7.4% rally, adding momentum to the semiconductor sector and offsetting a modest 0.8% dip in Apple stock. Apple’s decline, though notable, was not enough to drag down the broader tech surge, which was energized by investor interest in artificial intelligence developments and chip performance.
The enthusiasm around AI continues to influence market sentiment, especially with the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) taking place this week in Las Vegas. Investors are closely tracking product launches, keynote speeches, and company announcements at the event for insights into where the next major AI investments may emerge.
AI advancements were among the primary forces behind the stock market’s impressive run in 2025, and expectations remain high that further breakthroughs in automation, chips, and software could drive even more gains in 2026. Investors are particularly focused on updates from Nvidia, AMD, and other major chipmakers at CES, as AI computing power remains a key driver of future earnings potential.
Outside of technology, oil prices pulled back slightly after a sharp surge on Monday. U.S. crude slipped 0.3% after spiking in response to geopolitical tensions surrounding the U.S. military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The volatility in oil markets reflects growing sensitivity to global conflict and supply chain instability.
Meanwhile, bond yields edged higher. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.18%, up from 4.15% on Monday, indicating modest shifts in investor expectations about inflation and long-term economic growth. The two-year Treasury yield, which more directly reflects near-term Federal Reserve interest rate expectations, ticked up to 3.47% from 3.45%.
Precious metals also saw gains as global uncertainty lingered. Gold prices rose 1%, and silver jumped a notable 4.6%, continuing their upward trend from 2025. Both are traditionally viewed as safe-haven assets, and their ongoing rise suggests investors are still hedging against political instability and global economic risks, including trade disputes and ongoing international tensions.
Looking ahead, Wall Street’s attention will turn to the U.S. labor market, with several key data releases expected later this week. Employment numbers, wage growth, and job openings will all provide fresh insight into the health of the American economy and could influence the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates in the coming months.
For now, investor optimism is being driven by a combination of strong tech earnings potential, AI sector enthusiasm, and a cautious eye on macroeconomic indicators. As indexes hover near record territory, the next few trading sessions could determine whether Wall Street will continue its 2026 rally or pause in anticipation of broader economic clarity.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.