Dow Jones and Small-Caps Outperform, DJIA 1% Off Record Levels
US stocks extended their bullish momentum on Thursday, with Dow Jones leading, while tech and travel names driving markets to fresh highs.
Quick overview
- US stocks continued their upward trend, with major indices like the Dow Jones and Nasdaq reaching all-time highs.
- Tech stocks, particularly Nvidia and Tesla, played a crucial role in driving market momentum amid strong investor enthusiasm.
- The airline sector experienced significant gains due to robust travel demand and positive revenue forecasts, reflecting confidence in consumer resilience.
- Despite ongoing inflation concerns and global trade issues, investor sentiment remains strong as markets embrace growth and cyclical stocks.
Live DOW Chart
US stocks extended their bullish momentum on Thursday, with Dow Jones leading, while tech and travel names driving markets to fresh all-time highs.
Major Indices Surge as Risk Appetite Returns
US equity markets closed higher across the board, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite notching new record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Russell 2000 also joined the rally, underscoring broad investor confidence in the economy heading into the second half of the year.
Sector rotation into transportation, materials, and small caps helped fuel the advance, even as global trade concerns remained in focus. The Russell 2000 and Dow were the day’s top-performing benchmarks, benefiting from renewed risk appetite and signs of resilience in consumer activity.
Tech Strength Remains a Backbone of the Rally
Tech stocks once again provided foundational strength for the markets. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) closed at $164.10, crossing the $4 trillion market cap threshold—an achievement that underscores the ongoing investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and chip-related companies.
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) also posted strong gains, rising 4.73%, after increased interest in its autonomous vehicle efforts. News surrounding Phoenix’s petition for robo-taxi deployment reignited enthusiasm for Tesla’s mobility strategy, adding to its summer rally momentum.
Airlines and Cyclicals Take Flight
One of the biggest stories of the day was the airline sector’s powerful surge. Investors responded positively to strong travel demand and improved guidance, which helped lift carriers like Delta, American, and United Airlines by double digits.
Despite global concerns such as the impending 50% US tariff on copper and other imports, including a new 50% duty on Brazilian goods starting August 1, market optimism remained intact. This willingness to look past trade disruptions reflects a strong belief in US consumer and corporate resilience.
US Stock Market Closing Summary: Main US Indices Finish Higher, Dow Chart 
Dow Jones Industrial Average
- Rose 192.40 points (+0.43%) to close at 44,650.70.
- The Dow saw a broad-based advance with cyclical sectors contributing, reflecting optimism around a resilient US economy.
S&P 500 Index
- Closed up 17.14 points (+0.27%) at 6,280.40.
- The close was just above the recent high of 6,279.25 from July 3, suggesting persistent buying interest in large-cap equities even at elevated valuations.
NASDAQ Composite
- Ended the day up 19.33 points (+0.09%) at 20,630.66.
- Yesterday the index set a new record close; today’s modest gain continued the momentum, with tech giants still attracting investor flows despite valuation concerns.
Russell 2000 Index (Small Caps)
- Rose 10.92 points (+0.48%) to 2,263.41.
- Small-cap stocks showed relative strength, benefiting from rotation into risk assets and hopes for sustained domestic growth.
Major Gainers for the Day
MP Materials Corp. (MP)
- +$15.20 (+50.62%)
- Surged on investor excitement around critical materials and supply chain security for rare earths.
Newegg Commerce, Inc. (NEGG)
- +$7.01 (+32.27%)
- Jumped on speculative trading and renewed retail investor interest.
United Airlines Holdings (UAL)
- +$11.52 (+14.37%)
- Advanced as airline sector sentiment improved on strong travel demand and better-than-expected revenue guidance.
American Airlines (AAL)
- +$1.47 (+12.80%)
- Followed sector peers higher with bullish commentary on summer bookings.
Delta Air Lines (DAL)
- +$6.09 (+12.01%)
- Gained on favorable industry outlook and positive investor sentiment ahead of earnings.
Southwest Airlines (LUV)
- +$2.78 (+8.05%)
- Rose in sympathy with other airlines, buoyed by sector-wide strength.
Tesla (TSLA)
- +$13.99 (+4.73%)
- Continued its upward march as investors remained focused on AI initiatives and resilient delivery numbers.
Market Sentiment Remains Strong Despite Inflation Worries
While inflation continues to linger as a background concern, Thursday’s rally highlighted a shift back into growth and cyclical stocks. Investors appear increasingly confident that the Federal Reserve will manage inflation without derailing the economic recovery.
Even with some trade pressures and global uncertainties ahead, today’s session demonstrated that Wall Street remains firmly in risk-on mode, with growing confidence in both tech-driven innovation and travel-led consumption recovery.
Conclusion: Markets are roaring into the second half of the year with momentum, lifted by optimism around AI, consumer strength, and easing rate concerns. With Nvidia’s milestone, airline stocks surging, and the S&P and Nasdaq at fresh highs, investors seem to be embracing the summer rally—at least for now.
Dow Jones Live Chart
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