Thursday's session wrapped up on a quietly upbeat note, with the S&P 500 adding nearly half a percent and the Nasdaq leading the charge as technology names found fresh momentum. Traders came in cautiously after Wednesday's mixed session, but a handful of positive catalysts — including a cooler-than-expected jobless claims print and steady corporate commentary — helped lift sentiment through the afternoon.
Nvidia was the standout story of the day, rallying over 3% after a major Wall Street firm hiked its price target and reiterated that enterprise AI infrastructure spending remains on a steep upward curve. The chip giant dragged the broader semiconductor complex higher, with names like AMD and Broadcom also posting modest gains in sympathy.
On the downside, Walgreens Boots Alliance was the session's clearest loser, dropping nearly 5% after management lowered full-year profit expectations. The drugstore chain cited margin compression in its pharmacy division and softer front-of-store sales — a reminder that not every corner of the consumer economy is thriving right now.
Oil held relatively steady near $74 a barrel, and gold drifted slightly lower as the dollar edged up. The VIX remains well-contained in the mid-17 range, suggesting markets are not bracing for any near-term shock. Overall, the tape feels like a slow summer grind — with bulls in control but not exactly sprinting.