Stock Market Today Updates:Â Stocks climbed in the US after the release of the January payroll figures, adding 130,000 jobs in excess of forecasts and this saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average continue its ascending trend to an all-time high of 50,393.70 after adding 0.41% while the S&P 500 also rose to 6,977.65 as the unemployment rate fell to 4.3%.
U.S. Market Snapshot
|
Index |
Latest Level |
Day Change |
|
Dow Jones |
50,393.70 |
+207 pts |
|
S&P 500 |
6,977.65 |
+0.52% |
|
Nasdaq Composite |
22,928.83 |
+0.51% |
Dow Jones
The Dow Jones index rose by 0.41% to a record high of 50,393.70 as January payroll figures climbed by 130,000, beating forecasts while the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%. These stocks are driven by industrial, energy and consumer staples sectors, reflecting firm demand for companies with exposure to construction, logistics and electricity infrastructure.
Nasdaq
The Nasdaq rose about 0.5%, bolstered by strong gains in AI infrastructure shares while te rally was not across the board, as profit-taking nipped several big-cap tech names. Rising Treasury yields limited upside for high-valuation growth stocks, making the index’s advance more measured compared to that of the Dow.
S&P 500
The S&P 500 index has risen by around 0.5%, lingering around the 6,977 mark and flirting with new record levels. The sectors saw broad gains, with the cyclical sectors of Industrials and Energy at the forefront. The rise indicates improved optimism over earnings and the expansion of the economy through 2026.
NYSE
Trading on the New York Stock Exchange showed good breadth support as stocks topping decliners nearly 3 to 2. Trading volume exceeded its recent average by a wide margin, which shows good institutional support. Stocks on the NYSE composite edged up, which confirms that institutional support was not limited to the ladders alone.
Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Rally as Gains Spread Across Key Sectors
The rally was driven more by investors movements into economically sensitive shares than by speculative herd-style momentum. The sectors that led the charge include infrastructure, industrial equipment, energy and power management. These are the sectors most directly benefiting from the growth in capital expenditures, data center space and upgrade cycles associated with the development of artificial intelligence.
AI, Chip & Tech Stocks Trade Mixed
Artificial intelligence remained under the limelight while the results fluctuated between extreme and Vertiv gained 22% after surpassing earnings forecasts and announcing optimistic predictions for 2026 based on AI data center demand. Nvidia gained almost 2% with high volume traded, reflecting leadership strength while some software and consumer tech stocks fell, indicating that the investors were being selective.
Gold Surges, Bitcoin Slips Amid Stock Market Rally
Gold also surged above $5,070, amid a scramble for inflation hedges and diversification, while cryptocurrencies declined. Bitcoin fell below $68,000 as the advance in Treasury yields undercut demand for digital assets that pay no income and the divergence underscores the view that strength in stocks doesn’t necessarily translate to crypto markets.
The largest cryptocurrency dropped as much as 3.3% to $66,354 in early New York trading on Wednesday and the second-biggest coin, fell 3.8% to an intraday low of $1,931.
Commodities Rise as Oil & Metals Track Around Economic Growth
Commodities confirmed the rally by rising as WTI oil rallied by almost 3% to the $65.75 price point, while Brent crude oil was not far behind while Silver rallied by more than 4% and copper steadied to rise. The trend indicates markets expecting strong economic demand and not an economic downturn.
Trump Weighs Exit From USMCA Trade Deal
US President Donald Trump is privately considering withdrawing from the USMCA trade agreement he signed, according to sources. He has questioned advisers about leaving the pact, raising fresh uncertainty as the U.S., Canada and Mexico remain engaged in sensitive trade discussions.
Why is the US Stock Market Surging Today
Three factors are driving the current trend of improvement.Â
- First is the surprise jobs report for January that saw employment rise by 130,000, more than double the expectation.Â
- Secondly came the lower unemployment rate of 4.3% that calmed recession fears.Â
- Lastly is the strength of AI infrastructure stocks that buoyed investors confidence on the strength of the uptrend.
Top Gainers Today
- Verizon up 3.10% on defensive demand
- Caterpillar gained 2.25% on infrastructure optimism
- Coca-Cola rose 1.72% as staples attracted inflows
- Chevron added 1.36% on rising oil prices
- Walmart climbed 1.06% on consumer stability bets
Top Losers Today
- Salesforce down 4.79% on valuation pressure
- IBM fell 2.91% after recent strength
- Boeing declined 2.44% amid sector caution
- Microsoft slipped 2.40% as yields rose
- Nike dropped 2.13% on weak consumer sentiment
FAQ’s
Why did Treasury yields rise today?
Strong job growth reduced expectations for near-term rate cuts.
Do higher yields hurt stocks?
They can, but strong earnings often offset rate concerns.
Which index performed the best?
The Dow Jones led, hitting a record 50,393.70 with a 0.41% gain.
What role did jobs data play?
Payrolls rose by 130,000, more than double forecasts, signaling labor market strength.
Which sectors drove the rally?
AI infrastructure, industrials and cyclical stocks posted the strongest gains.
Is the Fed likely to cut rates soon?
Markets now expect a more cautious timeline.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The Sunday Guardian suggests that readers consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment or money-related decisions. The stock market involves significant risk.
