Tech Strength Propels Nasdaq Higher Amid Geopolitical Shipping Updates

The Nasdaq Composite led the charge among major US indices on Tuesday, gaining 0.6% as strength in the software sector provided a lift to the tech-heavy benchmark. The S&P 500 followed with a more moderate increase of 0.4%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained largely unchanged, hovering near the breakeven mark. This divergence in performance suggests a concentrated appetite for growth and technology stocks over traditional blue-chip equities. The market's cautious but positive trajectory reflects a period of consolidation as investors weigh sector-specific strengths against broader economic indicators. Adding a geopolitical dimension to the session, President Trump reported via Truth Social that 34 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the post, this represents the highest volume of traffic since the beginning of the current closure of the waterway. The increase in shipping activity through this critical energy chokepoint may be viewed by traders as a sign of easing tensions, potentially reducing the risk premium on energy commodities. However, the overall impact on the equity markets remained secondary to the momentum in the technology sector.