Nasdaq Outpaces S&P 500 and Dow as US Indices Close Higher

US stocks finished higher on the day, reports say, with the technology-heavy Nasdaq leading the advance. One report adds that healthcare stocks helped lift the Dow, which outpaced the broader market. The Cboe Volatility Index eased, a sign that traders were less jittery during the session.

The reports do not make the cause of the move entirely clear. One account points to technology sentiment getting a lift from SpaceX and Super Micro, while another cites corporate earnings supporting technology shares. A separate report mentions healthcare stocks leading gains, and another refers to prolonged US talks with Iran ahead of midterms. A further report notes SpaceX and Tesla exploring a merger as Meta earnings approach. Because the accounts differ, the drivers remain mixed across the coverage.

By the numbers, the S&P 500 closed at 7,757.17, up 0.58% on the day. The Nasdaq Composite ended at 26,702.86, a gain of 1.05%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 52,856.09, up 0.69%. The Cboe Volatility Index settled at 16.68, down 3.64%.

For the year to date, the S&P 500 is up 13.32% and the Nasdaq Composite is up 14.89%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 9.97% so far this year, while the Cboe Volatility Index is up 11.57%. Headlines change quickly, and one day's move says little about the longer trend.