U.S. equities edged higher on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.3% and the S&P 500 up 0.4% as investors digested early tech earnings and awaited the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement. Market breadth widened, with technology and consumer discretionary sectors leading gains.

Analysts noted that the NASDAQ Composite surged 0.6% after Apple and Microsoft reported stronger‑than‑expected revenue, while smaller caps lagged. The rally reflects optimism that the Fed will keep rates steady, easing pressure on borrowing costs for growth‑oriented firms.

With the Fed’s June meeting looming, traders focus on the Federal Open Market Committee minutes for clues on future rate hikes. Investors also watch earnings from Netflix, Tesla, and NVIDIA, whose guidance could shift sentiment toward a more bullish or cautious stance.

Market participants will also monitor the Federal Reserve policy statement for any sign of tightening. A dovish tone could support the tech rally, while a hawkish stance might dampen gains. Analysts predict the Fed will likely maintain the current 5.25% target range.