Finance

Major American equity markets snapped recent losing streaks to finish marginally higher during a highly volatile session. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite closed fractionally above flat lines. An afternoon recovery was sparked by retreating bond yields, which offset early-session losses across multiple sectors.

Technology shares showcased notable relative strength, helping the broader equity market counter macroeconomic headwinds. The sector was primarily anchored by memory chipmaker Micron Technology, which reported explosive quarterly revenues that quadrupled year-over-year figures. This stellar performance lifted equities across the entire semiconductor ecosystem, reinforcing artificial intelligence as a core market pillar.

Global crude benchmarks marched higher as ongoing geopolitical friction in the Middle East continues to cloud the outlook for energy supplies. Brent crude futures moved past the $100 per barrel mark, while West Texas Intermediate neared $93 a barrel. Even as analysts report regional crude flows approaching pre-war volumes, tight distillate inventories and market uncertainty continue to prop up prices.