The Nasdaq Composite surpassed the 25,000 milestone for the first time on Thursday, closing up 0.89 percent at 25,114.44 in a session fueled by renewed optimism over a potential resolution to tensions with Iran. The S&P 500 also reached a fresh all-time high, gaining 0.29 percent to close at 7,230.12, as technology stocks led a broad rally across Wall Street. The twin records underscored the resilience of the American equity market in 2026, with investors betting heavily on the continued dominance of the technology sector.
The rally came as diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran showed signs of progress, with multiple officials from both sides confirming that preliminary talks had resumed. Market participants interpreted the development as reducing geopolitical risk premiums, prompting a wave of buying in growth-oriented sectors. Large-cap technology names, including semiconductor and cloud computing companies, posted strong gains, lifting the Nasdaq to its historic milestone.
However, not all stocks shared in the optimism. Roblox Corporation saw its shares tumble 24 percent after the gaming platform slashed its full-year bookings guidance to between 5.87 billion and 6.14 billion dollars, down from a previous forecast of 6.02 billion to 6.29 billion dollars. The downward revision spooked investors who had counted on the company to sustain its post-pandemic growth trajectory. Analysts noted that the guidance cut reflected softening engagement among younger users and increased competition in the online gaming space.
Meanwhile, Huawei Technologies continued to expand its footprint in the artificial intelligence chip market. The Chinese technology giant expects AI chip revenue to reach approximately 12 billion dollars in 2026, representing a 60 percent increase from 7.5 billion dollars in 2025. Orders for the company's Ascend 950PR processor have surged as Chinese enterprises seek alternatives to Nvidia products amid ongoing United States export restrictions. Industry observers said the trend highlighted the growing bifurcation of the global semiconductor supply chain along geopolitical lines.
In a separate development, Japan Airlines announced plans to trial humanoid robots at Tokyo Haneda Airport for baggage loading operations. The airline said the initiative aims to address chronic labor shortages in ground handling services and improve operational efficiency. The pilot program is expected to begin later this year, with robots assisting human workers in loading and unloading luggage from aircraft cargo holds.
Market strategists said the simultaneous records on the Nasdaq and S&P 500 reflected growing confidence that central banks would maintain supportive monetary policies through the second half of 2026. Trading volume on Thursday exceeded the 30-day average, suggesting broad participation in the rally rather than a narrow advance driven by a handful of mega-cap names. Bond yields dipped slightly on the session, providing an additional tailwind for equity valuations.
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