Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.6%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.4%), and DJIA (+0.8%) opened to broad-based gains as the market looks to finish the week on a high note. 

All eleven S&P 500 sectors trade above their baselines, and only the information technology sector (+0.2%) holds a loss narrower than 0.5%. Despite only modest gains in the broader technology sector, semiconductors are off to a good start, with the PHLX Semiconductor Index up 1.1%.

Other early standouts include the health care (+0.9%), industrials (+0.9%), and energy (+0.8%) sectors.

Fed Chair Powell will begin his speech titled "Economic Outlook and Framework Review" at the top of the hour, with the market eagerly seeking any signs of a friendlier rate environment.