New York, NY — January 7, 2026
Major U.S. stock indexes surged Tuesday as broad gains led by technology and growth stocks pushed markets to fresh records, reflecting strong investor optimism early in 2026.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to 6,944.82, setting a new record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1% to 49,462.08, also reaching an all-time high. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.6% to 23,547.17, with small-cap stocks outperforming via the Russell 2000’s 1.4% gain.
Tech Sector Leads the Rally
Technology stocks were the primary engine behind the advance:
Amazon surged roughly 3.4% as investors favored its mix of retail and tech strength.
Micron Technology jumped about 10%, supporting chip-related enthusiasm.
Microsoft rose approximately 1.2%.
Sandisk soared roughly 27.6%, delivering the largest gain in the S&P 500, fueled by increased demand for AI-driven data storage solutions.
Nvidia saw a slight dip, while Apple lagged with roughly a 1.8% decline.
Strong performance in health care, retail, and industrial stocks helped broaden the rally, with about 75% of S&P 500 components moving higher on the session.
AI and CES 2026 Impact
Investor interest remains sharply focused on artificial intelligence developments highlighted at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, where tech leaders are detailing advancements that could shape corporate AI spending and hardware demand in 2026. Such themes continue to influence sentiment across the semiconductor and software sectors.
Commodities, Bonds, and Economic Backdrop
Energy markets saw selling pressure reflected in declining oil prices, with U.S. crude and Brent futures down after geopolitical developments earlier in the week. Bond yields ticked up modestly, and precious metals like gold and silver rose, reflecting mixed risk sentiment among investors.
Traders now turn their attention to upcoming U.S. economic releases on jobs, unemployment, and consumer sentiment, key factors that could shape expectations for Federal Reserve policy in 2026. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady as inflation remains above the 2% target.
