U.S. equities pushed higher as remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell lifted market sentiment, sending major benchmarks toward session highs. Investors appeared to digest Powell’s comments as broadly supportive of risk assets, prompting buyers to step in across cyclical and growth-oriented names.
Among individual movers, GE Vernova and Palantir saw notable strength. GE Vernova drew investor interest amid continued focus on energy and infrastructure plays, while Palantir outperformed on renewed demand for software and data analytics exposure. Traders cited sector rotation and selective buying in technology and industrials as key drivers behind these gains.
Conversely, Oracle weakened late in the session. The software giant’s shares retreated after reporting mixed quarterly results that left some investors cautious about near-term growth prospects. While parts of Oracle’s earnings and guidance appealed to the market, other metrics failed to meet expectations, resulting in profit-taking and a late-day selloff.
The market response following Powell’s remarks illustrated how macro commentary from the Fed can quickly sway intraday flows. With monetary policy still a central concern for investors, statements from the Fed chair often trigger reassessments of interest-rate expectations, risk appetite, and sector positioning.
Market breadth was positive overall, as buyers favored cyclicals and selected technology names. Analysts noted that headlines around corporate earnings continued to create stock-specific volatility, even as broader indices reacted to macro signals. That dynamic left some stocks rallying strongly on company-specific catalysts while others pulled back on disappointing updates.
Looking ahead, traders will be watching follow-up commentary from Fed officials, upcoming economic indicators, and further quarterly reports for additional cues. Earnings season remains a focal point for assessing which companies can sustain momentum and which may face headwinds from slower revenue or margin trends.
This summary is based on market activity reported by Investor's Business Daily and reflects intraday movements influenced by central-bank commentary and corporate earnings news.
Stocks Rally After Powell Comments; GE Vernova, Palantir Advance; Oracle Falls
Investor's Business Daily
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