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U.S. Equities Rise as Nvidia and Oracle Lift Major Indexes

Written by: Akshay ShivalkarUpdated on: 26 Feb 2026, 4:27 pm IST
U.S. equities advanced on Wednesday as gains in Nvidia and Oracle supported broader market indices and extended the prior session’s momentum.
U.S. Equities Rise as Nvidia and Oracle Lift Major Indexes
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U.S. equities moved higher on Wednesday, with major benchmarks posting solid gains across the board. The S&P 500 rose 0.81% to close at 6,946.13, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.26% to 23,152.08.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 307.65 points, or 0.63%, ending the session at 49,482.15. The positive performance followed earlier advances on Tuesday, supported by easing concerns about AI-driven disruption across sectors.

Tech-Led Momentum Drives Market Gains

The latest session saw technology stocks providing the bulk of support, particularly ahead of key earnings releases. Nvidia gained 1.4% as investors awaited its scheduled post-market earnings report, alongside results from Salesforce and Snowflake.

Market participants continued reassessing high valuations in the technology sector, especially within AI-focused companies and hyperscalers with elevated capital expenditure plans. This rebalancing came after earlier concerns began to ease, contributing to a more stable sentiment among investors.

Software Sector Extends Its Uptrend

Software stocks continued their upward trajectory for a second straight session. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV), which rose nearly 2% on Tuesday, added another 3% on Wednesday.

Individual names such as Palantir Technologies and Microsoft contributed to the sector’s strength, reflecting renewed investor confidence in software demand trends. This shift followed Anthropic’s release of new connectors and plugins for its Claude Cowork tool, which helped reaffirm software providers’ relevance in an evolving AI environment.

Changing Perceptions Around AI Disruption

Market sentiment improved notably after fears surrounding widespread AI-driven disruption began to subside. Anthropic’s update on Tuesday emphasised that its tools were designed to integrate with existing enterprise applications, easing earlier concerns about potential displacement of software providers.

The assurance that AI technologies could function in additive ways supported a relief rally across software and cybersecurity stocks. This shift in perception further contributed to the broader gains seen across U.S. indices during the trading session.

Investor Focus Turns to Key Earnings Releases

Attention now shifts to upcoming earnings announcements, particularly from Nvidia, Salesforce, and Snowflake. These releases are expected to provide additional clarity on enterprise AI spending patterns and broader technology sector dynamics.

Market participants have been closely monitoring capital allocation trends among hyperscalers, especially regarding AI infrastructure investments. The earnings results are set to shape trading sentiment in the near term, following the strong lead-in from the latest market rally.

Read More: NSE International Exchange Set to Offer Access To 30+ Global Markets.

Conclusion

U.S. markets posted solid gains on Wednesday, supported by strength in technology and software stocks. Major indices closed higher as investors responded positively to easing concerns about AI-related disruption.

Key earnings announcements scheduled after the closing bell added to anticipation, particularly for Nvidia. The latest performance continued the upward momentum from Tuesday and reflected improved sentiment across major sectors.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Published on: Feb 26, 2026, 10:56 AM IST

Akshay Shivalkar

Akshay Shivalkar is a financial content specialist who strategises and creates SEO-optimised content on the stock market, mutual funds, and other investment products. With experience in fintech and mutual funds, he simplifies complex financial concepts to help investors make informed decisions through his writing.

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