US Markets
Tech slips, oil spikes, and stocks still close higher
The major U.S. indexes finish in the green even as tech lags and traders keep one eye on energy and earnings.
U.S. stocks close higher across the board, but not by much. The S&P 500 adds 0.4% to 7572.3999, the Nasdaq Comp. rises 0.6% to 26269.2266, the Dow gains 0.3% to 52658.6406, and the Russell 2000 edges up 0.4% to 2976.259. All four benchmarks stay above their 200-day averages.
The day’s sector map is uneven. Communication services leads with a 1.7% gain, discretionary rises 1.0%, and financials add 0.7%. Tech falls 1.1%, making it the weakest major sector, while utilities drop 1.0% and energy slips 0.8%.
Options activity is busy but balanced. SPY posts 4,311,957 calls and 4,355,308 puts, while QQQ shows 3,577,497 calls and 3,185,738 puts. The VIX falls 5.0% to 15.67, even as the VIX 9-day climbs 8.2% to 12.06.
CNBC Markets says Fed Chairman Warsh defends independence while noting he meets often with the Trump administration, and CNBC Earnings flags a heavy slate that includes ELV, JNJ, MS, UAL, BLK, PNC and BNY. The market also watches a cluster of big movers, including PYPL up 17.2% and INTC down 4.4%.