On Thursday’s trading day, markets pushed higher with stronger gains as new sentiment over the success of disinflation and continued movement in the tech sector. The gains made in the broader markets were able to push both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite to fresh highs. On Friday, investors will be focused on February’s labor market data to gauge whether the economy continues to cool alongside the tighter monetary policy. For the main indices, the S&P 500 rose 1.03%, the NASDAQ Composite went up 1.51%, and the Dow Jones grew 0.34%.
Two companies to make headlines throughout midday trading were Palantir Technologies and Micron Technology. Software provider Palantir Technologies saw its stock rise 1.22% by the bell after the firm announced a new contract with the U.S. Army valued at $178 million. Semiconductor firm Micron Tech saw its share price rise 3.58% after analyst firm Stifel upgraded the stock to a buy rating from a hold.