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The S&P 500 closed higher Tuesday as tech stocks rebounded, shifting investor focus to the Federal Reserve’s policy decision. The Dow Jones rose 136 points (0.3%), while the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, and the Nasdaq surged 2%.
AI chip leader Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) led the recovery after suffering a record $593 billion loss in market value Monday. Concerns over Chinese AI startup Deepseek disrupting U.S. AI dominance were downplayed, with analysts suggesting that cheaper AI solutions could drive broader adoption. The rally comes as big tech giants, including Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Meta (NASDAQ:META), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), prepare to report earnings this week.
On the earnings front, General Motors (NYSE:GM) fell nearly 9% after posting a fourth-quarter loss due to China-related charges. JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ:JBLU) plunged 26% following weak revenue guidance, while Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) soared 12% on strong Q4 earnings and a positive 2025 outlook. Boeing (NYSE:BA) gained 1.5% after CEO Kelly Ortberg outlined a turnaround strategy despite the company’s largest annual loss since 2020.
Investors now await the Federal Reserve’s decision, with expectations that borrowing costs will remain unchanged. The Fed previously lowered rates, bringing the benchmark rate to 4.25%-4.50%. Key economic data, including the PCE price index and Q4 GDP estimates, are also due this week.
Meanwhile, U.S. housing data showed single-family home prices rose 0.3% in November, slowing from October’s 0.5% gain, reflecting the impact of higher mortgage rates.
Markets remain focused on earnings and macroeconomic signals, with tech stocks driving optimism ahead of the Fed’s announcement.
