Stock market recap: Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 rise as tech gains

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Nasdaq Composite rises as tech gains

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Global indexes

- S&P 500: 6 671,06,+0.40%

- NASDAQ Composite: 22 670,08,+0.66%

- Dow Jones Industrial Average: 45,514.95, +0.25%

- FTSE 100: 46 253,31, -0.037%

- NIKKEI 225: 48 277,74, +1.27%

- HSI: 25 888,51, -0.085%

- SHANGHAI Composite: 3 916,23, +0.10%

U.S. markets

On Wall Street, futures signaled a higher open across major averages as chip enthusiasm spilled over to megacap tech and AI-exposed names. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq outperformed as investors leaned into growth sectors, while the Dow advanced more modestly amid a mixed read-through for cyclicals.

A fresh record in gold underscored hedging demand even as risk assets rallied. Traders also monitored the policy calendar: with the Fed’s next decision approaching, rate-cut expectations—bolstered by softer activity pockets—have helped ease financial conditions.

At the same time, officials’ speeches and the Beige Book remain in focus for signals on labor-market cooling and price pressures, especially given recent data delays.

European markets

European stocks were mixed as investors weighed the prospect of U.S. easing against revived U.S.–China trade tensions.

The Stoxx 600 gained 0.2% to 568.72 after a 0.6% rise Wednesday, while Germany’s DAX slipped 0.1% and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 eased 0.2%. France’s CAC 40 was little changed after a prior 2% surge led by luxury shares.

The cross-currents reflect a tug-of-war between improving global liquidity expectations and sector-specific headwinds, with exporters and industrials sensitive to any escalation in trade restrictions, particularly around critical inputs such as rare earths.

Asian markets

Asian equities extended gains for a second session on optimism that the Fed is nearing rate cuts, though advances were capped by geopolitical and trade headlines.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.27% to 48,277.74 as domestic political developments pointed to potential coalition stability, even as machinery orders softened.

China’s Shanghai Composite finished 0.10% higher at 3,916.23, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng closed 0.085% lower after new-loan growth lagged expectations.

Sentiment was constrained by sharper rhetoric on rare-earth export policies; U.S. officials criticized Beijing’s curbs as a supply-chain “power grab,” reinforcing concerns about input security for EVs, wind power, and advanced chips.

Summary conclusions

The day’s setup—tech-led gains, firmer expectations for U.S. policy easing, and persistent trade frictions—keeps the S&P 500 and Nasdaq on an upward path while injecting periodic volatility into cyclical and China-exposed segments.

Near term, investors will watch U.S. earnings breadth beyond semiconductors, central-bank commentary, and any concrete steps on rare-earths policy. If rate-cut expectations hold and supply-chain risks remain contained, the global trend leans toward incremental equity strength; sharper trade escalations or upside surprises in inflation could quickly challenge that view.

Earlier, we reported that Apple captures top spot in global smartphone market for Q1 2025.

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