US stocks close higher on tech sector gains

US equities finished higher, on Sept.3, driven by strong performance in the technology sector, led by Google’s parent company. 

Gains were limited, as official data pointed to signs of weakness in the labor market.

The S&P 500 rose 0.51% (32 points) to 6,448, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1% (218 points) to 21,497.

Alphabet shares surged 9.14% to $230.66 after a US court ruled that the company could retain ownership of its Chrome browser without being required to divest it.

In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 index added 0.66% to 546, supported by a 0.47% rise in utilities stocks.

Germany’s DAX gained 0.46% to 23,594, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.86% to 7,719, and the UK’s FTSE 100 rose 0.67% to 9,177.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.90% to 41,938, while the broader Topix index dropped more than 1% to 3,048.