US markets soared Wednesday, powered by a landmark US-Japan trade agreement and growing excitement around major tech earnings. By the close, the Dow jumped 507.85 points (1.14%) to 45,010.29—just shy of its all-time high—while the S&P 500 notched a new record at 6,358.91, up 0.78%. The Nasdaq Composite also hit a milestone, rising 127.33 points (0.61%) to close above 21,000 for the first time at 21,020.02.
The rally was broad-based: nine of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors finished in the green. Health care led the charge with a 2.03% gain, followed by industrials at 1.75%. Utilities and consumer staples trailed, slipping 0.79% and 0.07%, respectively.
Investor optimism got a boost after US President Donald Trump announced a deal with Japan that cuts planned tariffs on Japanese imports to 15% (down from a threatened 25%) and secures $550 billion in new Japanese investment in the US. Japanese automaker stocks jumped on the news: US-listed Toyota and Honda shares climbed more than 13%. Detroit’s auto giants didn’t sit still either—Stellantis surged 11.54%, while General Motors rose 8.67%.
The tech sector showed mixed moves ahead of earnings season. Nvidia led the mega-cap group with a 2% rise, Meta Platforms and Broadcom each added over 1%, and Microsoft and Amazon posted modest gains. Tesla edged higher, while Apple and Alphabet saw slight dips, setting the stage for a high-stakes earnings report cycle.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads keeping an eye on emerging markets and fintech trends, this rally highlights how trade policy and tech performance drive market momentum. Stay tuned as Q3 earnings and fresh international deals continue to shape the global financial landscape.
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US stocks close higher amid investor optimism for major tech earnings
cgtn.com
