S&P 500 hits record close as markets await Nvidia earnings

US stocks rose on Wednesday as investors awaited Nvidia’s earnings and remained optimistic about prospects for monetary easing, despite efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to challenge the Federal Reserve’s independence.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 147 points, or 0.32%, to 45,565. The S&P 500 added 15 points, or 0.24%, to 6,481, marking a fresh record close. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 45 points, or 0.21%, to 21,590.

In Europe, the STOXX Europe 600 edged up by 0.1% to 554 points, supported by a 1.53% rise in consumer goods stocks, while the banking sector fell by 1.3%.

Germany’s DAX declined by 0.44% to 24,046 points, and the UK’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.11% to 9,255 points, while France’s CAC 40 advanced by 0.44% to 7,743 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 0.3% to 42,520 points, while the broader Topix index remained flat at 3,069 points.

In commodities, Brent crude futures for October delivery rose 83 cents, or 1.23%, to $68.05 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery gained 90 cents, or 1.42%, to $64.15.

Gold futures for December delivery rose $15.6, or 0.5%, to settle at $3,448.6 an ounce.