Semis power US stocks to fresh records
The S&P 500 posted a small gain of 0.1% to reach another record high, as did the Nasdaq 100 with a 0.2% advance.
While technology was the best performing S&P 500 sector ETF, breadth was still marginally positive on the day. Semiconductors were the standout within tech, with Intel up 6.2%, Advanced Micro Devices rallying 4%, Broadcom advancing 2.5%, and Nvidia higher by 1.9%. Software stocks, on the other hand, were about 1% lower.
Corning was the top performing S&P 500 constituent, up 12% its best day in more than 4 years, after the company boosted its second quarter guidance on robust demand for its products that support generative AI.
Target also had a strong session, up 2.1% after revealing a string of deals for the back-to-school season that it hopes will improve its value perception among customers.
No major bloc secured a majority in the French election held this weekend. Investors seemed to see less tail risk in French bonds following the vote, as the spread versus German bund narrowed, but there was no relief rally in European stocks. The Euro Stoxx 50 fell 0.2% and France’s CAC 40 fared worse, off 0.6%.