Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] Early gains in the information technology sector (+1.0%) pushed the S&P 500 (+0.5%) and Nasdaq Composite (+0.8%) higher, with improved sector strength lifting the DJIA (+0.3%) from negative territory. 

The technology sector is supported by solid leadership from top component NVIDIA (NVDA 188.14, +3.10, +1.68%) and continued strength in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 223.76, +12.26, +5.79%), lifting the PHLX Semiconductor Index (+1.8%) to a nice gain. 

Eight S&P 500 sectors trade in positive territory, with only the consumer staples (-0.4%), real estate (-0.3%), and energy (-0.3%) sectors moving lower. 

Outside of the S&P 500, the small-cap Russell 2000 (+0.6%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+0.7%) are outperforming after modest retreats yesterday. 

Advancers outpace decliners by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a roughly 5-to-3 clip on the Nasdaq, reflecting the scope of today's buy-the-dip-fueled advance.