Wall Street’s major indexes closed at record highs on Thursday, lifted by gains in Tesla and Micron Technology, as investor confidence was buoyed by fresh economic data pointing to easing inflationary pressures and a cooling labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.36 percent to close at 46,108.00, marking its highest finish on record.
The S&P 500 advanced 0.85 percent to end at 6,587.47, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.72 percent to reach 22,043.08, both also recording all-time highs. Equities were supported by economic indicators suggesting a potential shift in monetary policy conditions. Data released by the U.S. Department of Labor showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.6 percent in August, in line with market expectations, while the annual inflation rate reached 3.7 percent.
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased 0.3 percent for the month and 4.3 percent over the previous year. Separately, initial jobless claims for the week ending September 6 climbed to 263,000, the highest level in nearly four years. Tesla shares rose 6.0 percent, contributing significantly to gains on the Nasdaq. The rally followed increased investor interest in the company’s broader technology segments beyond electric vehicles, particularly in energy storage and robotics.
Tesla was among the top performers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. Micron Technology shares surged 7.5 percent after Citi raised its price target for the chipmaker. The upgrade cited sustained demand for memory chips used in data centers and artificial intelligence applications. The broader Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gained 2.2 percent, closing at a record high.
Investors respond to economic signals with renewed confidence
Other notable stock moves included Warner Bros. Discovery, which rose nearly 29 percent after reports of a potential acquisition proposal involving Skydance Media and Paramount Global. Health insurer Centene climbed about 9 percent after the company reaffirmed its full-year earnings forecast and reported improvements in its Medicare Advantage star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Sector performance within the S&P 500 was led by materials and healthcare, which gained 2.14 percent and 1.73 percent respectively. Communication services was the only sector to end the session in negative territory, reflecting declines in selected media and telecom stocks. In bond markets, U.S. Treasury yields declined following the release of inflation data. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to 4.22 percent, while the 2-year note yield settled at 4.89 percent.
The movement in yields reflected growing market expectations for adjustments in monetary policy in response to evolving inflation and employment trends. The U.S. dollar weakened modestly against a basket of major currencies, while gold prices edged higher. Oil prices were mixed, with Brent crude settling near $91 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate holding above $87, amid ongoing supply concerns linked to OPEC+ output restrictions.
Investor focus shifts to upcoming US economic indicators
Thursday’s rally extended a broader uptrend in equities seen since late August, supported by stable corporate earnings and improving macroeconomic indicators. Trading volumes were above recent averages, indicating increased institutional participation ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting.
Market participants are now turning attention to forthcoming economic data releases, including retail sales and industrial production figures, which are scheduled for next week and could further inform the outlook for U.S. monetary policy, particularly regarding the timing and scale of potential interest rate adjustments in the months ahead. – By Content Syndication Services.