US stocks closed higher on Thursday, supported by gains in the semiconductor sector and a decline in oil prices, despite renewed military confrontations between the United States and Iran.

Indicator

Indicator reading

Change in value

Change (%)

52,487.41

139.02

0.27 %

26,206.89

336.24

1.30 %

7,543.64

60.93

0.81 %

25,118.27

220.82

0.89 %

8,326.62

73.96

0.90 %

10,472.45

(16.55)

(0.16 %)

24,030.18

(169.28)

(0.70 %)

67,743.85

924.80

1.38 %

76,741.82

238.22

0.31 %

At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.27% or 139 points to 52,487 points.

The broader S&P 500 index increased 0.81% or 60 points to 7,543 points, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.30% or 336 points to 26,206 points.

In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 index rose 0.78% to 640 points, supported by a decline in sovereign bond yields.

While the British FTSE 100 index fell 0.16% to 10,472 points, the German DAX rose 0.89% to 25,118 points, and the French CAC 40 rose 0.90% to 8,326 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index rose 1.38% to 67,743 points after three sessions of decline, and the broader TOPIX index increased 0.35% to 4,020 points.

Commodity

Price

Change in value

Change (%)

76.06

0.05

0.06 %

71.86

(1.68)

(2.24 %)

4,123.35

(0.34)

(0.01 %)

For oil, Brent crude futures for September delivery fell 2.20% or $1.72 to $76.30 per barrel.

US NYMEX crude futures for August delivery declined 1.96% or $1.44 to $72.08 per barrel.

At the same time, gold futures for August delivery jumped 1.43% or $58.40 to $4,140.80 per ounce.

What's behind the market moves? Gains in chip stocks and falling oil prices supported investor appetite, amid growing hopes for a revival of US-Iran negotiations, but markets remain balancing between geopolitical escalation risks and the possibility of continued inflationary pressures and monetary tightening.