Stock Market Gains As Intel Drives Chip Surge; Fed Meeting, Powell On Deck

Mixed market performance saw the Dow Jones dip Friday while broader indices advanced, driven by strong semiconductor sector gains. Intel’s earnings report sparked a chip stock surge, boosting Nasdaq performance as investors reacted to better-than-expected financial results. The Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting remains a focal point, with traders awaiting signals on interest rates and economic outlook. Jerome Powell’s post-meeting remarks will be scrutinized for clues on inflation control and potential monetary policy shifts. Market volatility persists amid tech-driven rallies and macroeconomic uncertainty, with chipmakers leading gains despite broader Dow declines.