18.06.202620:24:07UTC+00US Stocks Close Firmly Higher

US equities ended higher on Thursday, as strength in technology shares and optimism over a potential US–Iran agreement outweighed worries about a more hawkish Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 rose 1%, the Nasdaq 100 gained 1.9%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 72 points.

Sentiment improved after the United States and Iran signed an interim peace agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, fueling hopes that smoother crude flows would help alleviate energy-driven inflation pressures.

At its latest policy meeting, the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged, while about half of policymakers indicated that at least one additional rate hike could still be appropriate this year.

In corporate news, Intel jumped 10.6% after President Trump announced the chipmaker will manufacture Apple’s processors in the United States. The development boosted the broader semiconductor sector, with Nvidia up 2.8% and Micron Technology advancing 8.5%.

On the downside, SpaceX fell 3.5%, marking a second straight session of losses following its highly publicized market debut last week.