Business & Markets
Nasdaq closes 2.8% higher on Microsoft results
The Nasdaq Composite closed 2.8 percent higher Thursday as Microsoft results helped lift Wall Street stocks.
Microsoft shares surged more than 15 percent after strong results driven by its cloud and artificial intelligence divisions. The gains helped all three major US indices rebound, while moderating oil prices blunted worries about higher US Treasury yields.
Earlier in the session, investors had weighed mixed economic data and contrasting earnings reactions at Microsoft and Meta. Meta had fallen nearly 10 percent amid questions over the cost of its artificial intelligence investments.
The gains followed Wednesday's retreat, when US Treasury yields rose after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged. US economic growth came in at 1.5 percent in the second quarter, down from 2.1 percent in the previous quarter.
Update
Microsoft shares surged more than 15 percent after strong results driven by its cloud and artificial intelligence divisions.
Moderating oil prices helped blunt worries about higher US Treasury yields.
All three major US stock indices rose, led by the Nasdaq.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 20:09:54 UTC.
Update
The Nasdaq ended 2.8% higher.
Microsoft results lifted US stocks, according to the market report.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 20:03:45 UTC.
Update
About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.6% at 51,899.68, the S&P 500 was up 1.1% at 7,396.24 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 2.1% at 24,955.75.
Microsoft shares rose more than 14% in early trading, while Meta fell nearly 10%.
US economic growth was reported at 1.5% in the second quarter, down from 2.1% in the previous quarter.
FHN Financial's Chris Low said traders were differentiating between companies.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 13:57:52 UTC.
Update
Major US indices opened higher after Wednesday's sell-off.
Meta's fall came amid questions over the company's costly artificial intelligence investments.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 13:42:21 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The supplied item did not give closing point levels for the major US indices.
The supplied item did not give a more precise Microsoft share move beyond more than 15 percent.
Source
AFP news report published on .