Finance

U.S. stock indices ended the session on a divided note, with the Nasdaq managing slight gains while the Dow Jones and S&P 500 drifted lower. Large-cap technology stalwarts like Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia provided crucial support to the market, offsetting intense pressure from escalating Treasury yields. Stronger-than-expected GDP results and softening inflation data created a push-and-pull dynamic for investors throughout the day.

Oil prices jumped significantly, with Brent crude hovering near the $100 per barrel threshold and West Texas Intermediate climbing past $92. The price spike followed reports that Chinese refiners have suspended fuel product exports outside of Hong Kong and Macau, stoking worries over domestic supply availability. Continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have further aggravated the global energy market, renewing concerns over persistent core inflation.

Positive corporate developments within the artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors injected optimism into equity markets. Micron shares found upward momentum after delivering robust quarterly financial results, while Accenture experienced a notable stock surge driven by record-breaking bookings that helped alleviate broader AI spending fears. Additionally, Microsoft and Meta capped off historically strong performance cycles to wrap up the preceding quarter.