Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.5%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.7%), and DJIA (+0.1%) are on an upswing as the market enters the final half hour of the session. 

The information technology sector (+1.3%) widens its gain back across the 1.0% mark as NVIDIA (NVDA 186.90, +5.54, +3.05%) moves towards session highs ahead of its earnings release after the close.

NVIDIA has posted 11 straight beats on EPS and revenue, so the bar is high—but sentiment hinges far more on Q4 (Jan) expectations and the broader AI spending trajectory. Investors will watch closely for signs that data center demand is either stabilizing or accelerating following last quarter's modest upside and muted guide.

Commentary around Blackwell momentum, data center linearity, and H20 visibility will set the tone for AI infrastructure stocks, which have been searching for conviction after a sharp pullback. NVDA's long-term message remains exceptionally bullish—framing AI as a multitrillion-dollar opportunity through decade's end—but near-term execution and guidance will determine whether the stock reclaims leadership or extends its consolidation.