U.S. Stocks Climb as Policy Uncertainty Eases, Tech and Chipmakers Lead Market Moves

 

U.S. Stocks Advance as Policy Signals Lift Investor Confidence

U.S. equities finished higher on Thursday as investors reacted positively to signs of policy stability from Washington, easing concerns that had recently weighed on markets. The rally gained momentum after President Donald Trump indicated that tariffs on critical minerals would be postponed and confirmed there were no plans to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—two developments that helped calm fears around trade disruption and monetary policy independence.

Against this backdrop, several individual stocks posted sharp moves, driven by corporate deals, analyst upgrades and strong earnings momentum.

Notable Stock Gainers

Penumbra surged after the medical technology firm agreed to be acquired by a larger healthcare player in a transaction combining cash and stock. The deal, which places a multibillion-dollar valuation on the company, signaled consolidation in the cardiovascular device space and drew strong investor interest.

Calix advanced following a bullish analyst upgrade that cited improving spending trends among broadband service providers. Expectations of expanded network upgrades and higher fiber adoption helped strengthen the company’s medium-term outlook.

Dell Technologies moved higher after analysts pointed to growing demand for artificial intelligence–driven server infrastructure. Optimism around enterprise AI investment has increasingly positioned traditional hardware makers as beneficiaries of the ongoing data center expansion.

Nokia also posted solid gains after an upgrade highlighted the company’s expanding exposure to artificial intelligence and cloud-related revenues, which analysts say are becoming a more meaningful contributor to growth.

Lam Research climbed as new forecasts suggested stronger global spending on semiconductor manufacturing equipment in the coming years, particularly in advanced logic and memory production—areas where the company has significant exposure.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) stood out among the day’s winners after reporting a sharp rise in quarterly profit, exceeding market expectations. The world’s largest contract chipmaker also announced plans to significantly increase capital spending, underscoring confidence in long-term demand from customers tied to AI, high-performance computing and consumer electronics.

Stocks Under Pressure

On the downside, Critical Metals shares slipped after the U.S. administration opted to delay tariffs on imported critical minerals, reducing near-term expectations of supply-driven price support.

Disc Medicine fell following reports of regulatory delays affecting two drug candidates under U.S. review. Concerns related to safety, efficacy and trial data prompted regulators to extend evaluation timelines, pressuring investor sentiment around the biotechnology firm.

Market Outlook

Thursday’s gains reflected a broader shift toward risk appetite as investors weighed easing policy uncertainty against still-evolving economic and geopolitical conditions. While volatility remains a factor, strong corporate fundamentals—particularly in technology and healthcare—continue to shape short-term market direction.

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