The US stock market closed higher on Thursday, defying concerns about rising interest rates. The S&P 500 rose 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.7%. The upward trend came after the release of economic data that signaled the Federal Reserve would continue to tighten monetary policy. However, the rally at the opening faded by mid-morning before advancing again in the afternoon. While investors are still concerned about the potential impact of rising interest rates on the stock market, they also see reasons why US stocks are still edging up.

One reason is the strong performance of some technology stocks. Chipmaker Nvidia surged 14% after beating analysts’ expectations with its fourth-quarter results released on Wednesday. The company also indicated a future expansion into the field of artificial intelligence. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a 2% increase in shares, while ASML of the Netherlands saw a 0.3% increase. Shares of Nvidia’s rivals in Asia and Europe also increased. The 30 semiconductor companies tracked by the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index had a 3.3% increase.

Another reason why US equities are still rising is persistent labor market tightness. Statistics made public on Thursday revealed a decline in jobless claims to 192,000, below expert expectations and below 200,000 for the sixth week in a row. Besides these encouraging signs, investors are still worried about the possibility of a US recession.

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James Ashley, head of the international market strategy at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said, “Earnings have been resilient, which doesn’t surprise us. If a recession happens it will be the middle to back end of the year, and the depth and length will likely be shorter and shallower.”

While some experts remain cautious, factors still influence the market and present opportunities for investors. John William, The president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, hinted at higher interest rates for longer, underlining the necessity of utilizing monetary policy to accomplish the central bank’s 2% inflation goal. He said, “Our job is clear, our job is to make sure we restore price stability, which is truly the foundation of a strong economy.”

The market has had a mixed reaction to the Fed’s decision to increase the benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. Minutes from the Fed’s January policy meeting showed that most officials backed the decision, while a few preferred a half-point increase. However, the meeting took place before recent economic data showed that the US economy was more resilient than economists had expected.

Despite concerns about rising interest rates, the US stock market has performed well due to strong earnings growth, positive economic indicators, and increased investor confidence. The Stoxx 600 in Europe closed slightly higher, while Germany’s Dax rose 0.5% and France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.2%. The FTSE 100 lost 0.3% in the UK, but Rolls-Royce shares jumped almost 24% after beating earnings forecasts.

While there are a few possible risks for investors, opportunities to capitalize on the current state of the market are also there. Experts suggest that investors should remain cautious but also keep a close eye on economic indicators and the actions of the Fed. As the market continues to evolve, investors will need to adapt to changing conditions and make informed decisions based on the latest information.