U.S. stock market rebounded strongly on Thursday, with all three major indexes closing higher as fresh earnings, easing oil prices, and renewed confidence in artificial intelligence lifted investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to 49,267.93, adding 118.30 points, or 0.24%. The S&P 500 climbed 0.55% to 6,964.54, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.84% to end at 23,670.02.
The rally was led by semiconductor stocks after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company reported a blockbuster quarterly performance. The world’s largest contract chipmaker posted a 35% jump in profit, its strongest growth in years, reinforcing optimism that demand tied to artificial intelligence remains resilient despite geopolitical and trade uncertainty. Shares of TSMC surged more than 5%, setting the tone for a broad-based advance across the chip sector.
The gains came at a crucial moment for Wall Street. Markets had been under pressure earlier in the week following declines in large technology stocks, concerns about U.S.–China trade frictions, and rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East. Thursday’s move marked a decisive shift, suggesting investors were willing to look past short-term political noise and refocus on earnings strength and economic fundamentals.
At the same time, falling oil prices and better-than-expected labor market data helped support risk appetite. Together, these factors created a favorable backdrop for equities, particularly in growth and financial sectors, which had lagged in recent sessions.
Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rebounded today
Wall Street roared back to life on Thursday, January 15, 2026, as a wave of bullish sentiment swept across major indices, led by a resurgence in the semiconductor sector and blowout bank earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 118.30 points, or 0.24%, to reach 49,267.93. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index gained 0.55% to sit at 6,964.54, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite outperformed with a 0.84% jump to 23,670.02. Investors found renewed confidence after Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) reported a staggering 35% profit surge, effectively silencing skeptics of the artificial intelligence (AI) trade.
This performance was bolstered by a cooling labor market report showing weekly jobless claims at a lean 198,000, significantly lower than the 215,000 anticipated by economists. With BlackRock assets crossing an unprecedented $14 trillion threshold and energy costs retreating as Brent crude dropped over 4%, the day’s trading reflected a “goldilocks” scenario of controlled growth and easing inflationary pressures. This rally effectively erased the gloom from Wednesday’s session, proving that US equity demand remains robust despite lingering geopolitical tensions and shifting trade policies.
Chip stocks rally as TSMC earnings revive AI confidence
Semiconductors were the clear leaders of the day. After TSMC delivered its record quarter, investors piled back into chip names tied to artificial intelligence, data centers, and advanced computing. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) climbed nearly 3%, reflecting broad strength across the sector. Shares of NVIDIA rose more than 2%, recovering some of the ground lost earlier in the week. Micron Technology also advanced over 2%, as investors bet on a sustained recovery in memory pricing driven by AI-related demand. Advanced Micro Devices and Intel posted solid gains as well, adding to the sector’s momentum.
The rally came despite new trade developments from Washington. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 25% tariff on certain semiconductors. However, the administration clarified that the levy would not apply to chips imported to support the buildout of the U.S. technology supply chain. That exemption eased fears of immediate disruption for U.S.-based AI infrastructure projects.
Investors appeared to view the tariff announcement as more targeted than initially feared. By excluding chips critical to domestic manufacturing and technology expansion, the policy reduced the risk of higher costs for U.S. data centers and cloud providers. This distinction helped chip stocks shrug off trade concerns and refocus on strong earnings momentum.
Still, some uncertainty remains. Nvidia shares are lower for the week after reports that Chinese customs authorities have restricted imports of the company’s H200 chips. While Thursday’s rally showed renewed confidence, investors remain cautious about how export controls and regulatory actions could affect future sales in China.
Bank stocks rise after strong earnings from Wall Street giants
Financial stocks also contributed meaningfully to the market’s advance. Shares of Morgan Stanley jumped more than 3% after the bank reported fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations. Strong trading revenue and resilient wealth management results helped offset concerns about dealmaking activity.
Goldman Sachs climbed around 2%, extending gains after posting better-than-expected profit in its most recent quarter. Goldman’s results highlighted improved performance in fixed-income trading and cost controls, reinforcing confidence that large U.S. banks can navigate a higher-rate environment.
Another standout was BlackRock, whose shares surged 4% after the asset management giant reported that its assets under management topped $14 trillion for the first time. BlackRock posted earnings of $13.16 per share, beating the $12.21 consensus estimate, while revenue reached $7.01 billion, well above expectations.
The strong bank earnings helped counter lingering worries about credit quality and loan growth. Investors viewed the results as evidence that large financial institutions are benefiting from market volatility, client activity, and disciplined expense management. The financial sector’s gains also added stability to the broader market, complementing the tech-led rally.
Top stock gainers today and metals market
U.S. markets saw sharp action in select stocks, with small caps and chipmakers leading gains. Bonk, Inc. surged over 52% to $4.23 on heavy volume. Springview Holdings jumped nearly 189% to $6.50, marking one of the session’s biggest moves.
Among large caps, NVIDIA rose almost 3% to $188.57, while Intel gained 2.6% to $50.01. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company advanced over 5% to $343.66 after strong earnings. Advanced Micro Devices climbed nearly 5% to $234.44.
In other movers, Ocular Therapeutix rose more than 13%, while ImmunityBio gained nearly 15%.
In commodities, Gold slipped 0.6% to $4,609.90, while Silver fell over 2% to $89.42. Platinum edged higher to $2,391.50, and Copper eased to $5.95, reflecting mixed demand signals across metals markets.
Falling oil prices and solid jobs data support equities
A sharp pullback in oil prices provided another tailwind for stocks. Brent crude futures and West Texas Intermediate crude both slid more than 4%, easing concerns about inflation and input costs. Lower energy prices tend to support consumer spending and corporate margins, which helped lift broader market sentiment.
Oil had risen earlier in the week amid fears of supply disruptions linked to tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Those fears eased after President Trump signaled he might not pursue military action against Iran, reducing the immediate risk of conflict in the Middle East. The decline in oil prices was welcomed by equity investors, particularly in sectors sensitive to fuel costs.
Economic data released Thursday also painted a picture of a resilient U.S. labor market. Weekly jobless claims for the period ending January 10 came in at 198,000, well below the 215,000 expected by economists. The four-week moving average fell to 205,000, the lowest level in nearly two years.
Manufacturing data added to the positive tone. The Empire State Manufacturing Index jumped to 7.7 in January, far above forecasts, while the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index rose to 12.6, signaling improving conditions in key industrial regions. Together, the data suggested that economic growth remains steady, even as the Federal Reserve keeps rates elevated.
For investors, the combination of cooling energy prices and strong employment data reduced fears of stagflation. It also reinforced expectations that the U.S. economy can avoid a sharp slowdown in 2026, supporting higher equity valuations.
Market outlook remains cautious amid geopolitics and trade risks
Despite Thursday’s gains, Wall Street remains alert to ongoing risks. Markets are coming off a losing session earlier in the week, when declines in technology stocks and geopolitical headlines weighed on sentiment. Trade tensions with China, uncertainty around semiconductor exports, and diplomatic disputes continue to hover over markets.
In Europe, Trump administration officials met with Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers as discussions over U.S. control of Greenland continue. A Danish official said the meeting ended without resolution, underscoring ongoing diplomatic friction. While the issue has not directly impacted markets, it adds to the broader geopolitical backdrop investors are monitoring.