US Markets
Tech lifts U.S. stocks as the VIX drops below 16
A broad rally leaves all three major indexes higher, with small caps, semis, and growth stocks doing most of the work.
U.S. stocks finish in the green, led by tech. The S&P 500 rises 0.8% to 7,543.6, the Nasdaq gains 1.3% to 26,206.9, and the Dow adds 0.3% to 52,487.4. The Russell 2000 climbs 1.2% to 2,992.5, showing small caps keep pace with the broad rebound.
Sector breadth is solid, but not uniform. Tech rises 2.2%, discretionary gains 1.3%, financials add 1.0%, and communication services climbs 1.0%. On the downside, staples fall 1.4%, energy drops 1.4%, and utilities lose 0.5%.
The tape turns higher after an early wobble and never really looks back. The S&P starts near 7,500.4, briefly dips to 7,488.4, and closes at 7,543.6. Options activity also looks busy, with SPY put volume at 4,208,282 versus call volume of 4,177,129, and QQQ put volume at 2,751,618 versus call volume of 2,573,207.
Volatility eases as stocks advance. The VIX falls 6.3% to 15.84, while the 9-day VIX rises 1.1% to 12.5 and the 3-month and 6-month measures both edge lower. The S&P, Nasdaq, Dow, and Russell all remain above their 200-day moving averages.