S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Record Highs, Nvidia Retakes $5 Trillion | Apr. 24, 2026 | Yahoo Finance

Why It Matters

Tech and semiconductor strength fuels market highs, while the DOJ’s decision eases Fed leadership uncertainty, shaping both equity outlooks and monetary‑policy expectations.

Key Takeaways

• S&P 500 and Nasdaq close at all‑time highs on tech rally.
• Semiconductor stocks surge, Intel up 21%, ARM jumps 40% week.
• Nvidia’s market cap rebounds past $5 trillion milestone again.
• DOJ drops criminal probe of Fed Chair, easing confirmation path.
• Luxury U.S. real estate sees Middle‑East capital despite market hesitation.

Summary

The market closed on a high note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting record levels driven by a broad tech rally. Major chip makers led the surge, as Intel posted a 21% jump—the strongest day since 1987—while ARM surged 40% over the week, and Nvidia added 4% to push its valuation back above $5 trillion.

Semiconductor ETFs outperformed software, delivering 35% monthly gains versus 5% for software. Meanwhile, bond yields slipped slightly, with the 10‑year at 4.31%, and a Bank of America‑sponsored "permanent portfolio"—equal parts cash, commodities, stocks, and bonds—registered its best century‑long return since 1933, challenging the traditional 60/40 model.

In Washington, the Justice Department withdrew its criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, removing a key obstacle to Kevin Worsley's confirmation. Former Fed official Loretta Mester emphasized that the probe was more political than criminal, and discussed the need for clearer, conditional Fed communication rather than rigid forward guidance. On the real‑estate front, luxury markets in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami remain robust, buoyed by Middle‑East capital despite broader market hesitation.

Investors should weigh the continued tech and semiconductor momentum against potential policy shifts at the Fed, consider diversified portfolio structures like the permanent portfolio, and monitor luxury‑real‑estate flows as a barometer of ultra‑wealthy sentiment amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Original Description

#stockmarketnews #nvidia #investing #stockmarketlive #yahoofinance

US stocks diverged on Friday as semiconductor stocks powered to new highs and the Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) climbed 1.6% to a fresh record as the semiconductor index (^SOX) extended gains for the 18th day in a row.

The S&P 500 (^GSPC) added 0.8% to close at a record. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) slipped 0.2% following a losing day for Wall Street stocks.

Tech equities surged as shares of Intel (INTC) jumped to a record high, surpassing their level from the year 2000. The chip giant’s strong outlook and first quarter profit beat was a sign of renewed optimism around the AI trade. Nvidia (NVDA) also closed at a record, re-taking the $5 trillion market cap crown.

Stocks also gained after the DOJ announced it would drop its criminal probe into Chair Powell, potentially clearing the way for the confirmation of President Trump’s pick to lead the Fed, Kevin Warsh.

Daily Market Coverage Apr. 24, 2026 3PM-5PM (ET) | Yahoo Finance

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