U.S. Stocks Close Higher As Tech Rebound Powers Gains, Dow Hits Fresh Record
U.S. equity markets finished modestly higher on February 9, 2026, extending a recovery from recent volatility driven by optimism around corporate earnings and the broader economy, even as concerns lingered over potential overinvestment in artificial intelligence and sector disruptions.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 20.20 points, or 0.04%, to close at 50,135.87, securing another all-time high following its initial breach of the 50,000 milestone the previous Friday. The S&P 500 climbed 32.52 points, or 0.47%, to 6,964.82, approaching but not quite reaching its prior record peak. The Nasdaq Composite posted the strongest performance, rising 207.46 points, or 0.90%, to 23,238.67, fueled primarily by a rebound in technology shares that had faced pressure in the preceding sessions.
Technology stocks, including software firms and major AI players, spearheaded the advance after earlier sell-offs. Oracle Corp. delivered one of the session’s standout performances, surging 9.6%—its largest single-day gain since September—helping offset prior declines that had affected investor sentiment.
Globally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 3.9% to a new record high after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party secured a strong victory in snap parliamentary elections, bolstering risk appetite with a stronger yen and elevated bond yields.
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Other market metrics reflected a stable environment: The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield eased slightly to 4.203%, while the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) dropped 2.25% to 17.36. Bitcoin hovered around $70,800 with limited movement, and gold traded near $5,068 per ounce.
Corporate developments added to the day’s narrative. Kroger Co. named former Walmart executive Greg Foran as its new CEO, effective immediately. Novo Nordisk saw gains after Hims & Hers Health Inc. abandoned plans to offer a compounded version of Wegovy’s oral form, prompting a patent infringement lawsuit from Novo Nordisk over its Ozempic and Wegovy drugs; Hims & Hers shares fell sharply by 16%. STMicroelectronics advanced 8.9% following a multibillion-dollar AI infrastructure chip collaboration expansion with Amazon.com. Media stocks Nexstar Media Group and Tegna rose more than 8% each amid reports of President Trump’s support for a potential combination. In Europe, UniCredit projected stronger revenue and profits from fees and insurance, lifting its shares 6.4% in Milan, while NatWest Group’s agreement to acquire wealth manager Evelyn Partners for £2.7 billion ($3.67 billion) sent its shares down 6.1%.
Broader economic notes included slower U.S. government spending growth in the early months of fiscal 2026, with entitlements and interest payments comprising a larger budget share. Investors also looked ahead to the delayed January jobs report due later in the week, with alternative indicators suggesting softness in the labor market.
The session underscored sustained investor confidence in earnings momentum, tempered by vigilance over AI-related risks and valuation pressures.