U.S. stocks opened with a mixed tone as investors reacted to a softer crude oil backdrop and watched for the latest update on the Iran-US deal. The Dow slipped, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced, helped by strength in technology and related growth names.
Apple was a key market leader after setting its first intraday record high since December, following a record close on Thursday. The move also lifted broader sentiment around large-cap tech, with the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS) reaching its first all-time intraday record since October.
Broad indexes keep pushing higher
Several major benchmarks touched intraday record highs, including the Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, S&P MidCap 400, S&P SmallCap 600, and the S&P 500 Equal Weight index. The move showed that gains were not limited to mega-cap names, even though technology remained a major driver.
The market also saw new highs in sector and style funds tied to growth and risk appetite, including Technology (XLK), Semiconductors (XSD), High Beta (SPHB), and the S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP). Emerging markets (EEM), Taiwan (EWT), Micro-cap (IWC), and Mega Cap (MGC) also joined the list of intraday record highs.
Technology leads, but strength spreads wider
Large-cap technology and internet services were among the strongest areas in the market. The list of sectors making record highs also included construction and materials, computer hardware, industrial suppliers, industrials, and technology.
Among individual stocks, Apple stood out in tech, while Alphabet also appeared in the communication services group. Other technology names showing strength included ASML, Cirrus Logic, Diodes, ChipMOS, Intel, Keysight, Kulicke & Soffa, Lam Research, MACOM, MKS Instruments, Silicon Motion, SiTime, Semtech, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Wolfspeed.
Industrial and financial names join the move
The rally was not confined to the tech complex. Industrial stocks such as Caterpillar, Cummins, F5, Grainger, and Howmet Aerospace were among the names showing momentum, while Interactive Brokers advanced in the financial sector.
Consumer discretionary and health care also had names on the list, including Ross Stores and DaVita. That wider participation suggested investors were willing to take on more risk even as they waited for fresh news on geopolitics and energy prices.
Oil weakness supports sentiment
A decline in crude oil helped ease pressure on broader markets and supported the view that inflation risks could stay contained for now. Traders remained focused on whether any progress in the Iran-US deal talks could alter the outlook for energy supplies and market volatility.
That uncertainty kept some caution in the session, but the index action still leaned positive outside the Dow. The combination of lower oil prices, record-setting tech leadership, and broad participation across several sectors kept attention on whether the rally can continue to extend beyond a narrow group of market giants.
