Dow Hits Fresh All-Time High as Earnings Optimism and AI Bets Lift Markets

U.S. stocks closed at a record high on strong earnings signals and AI spending optimism, with the Dow up about 0.5% (and futures higher) while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped on profit-taking. Nvidia led tech gains on AI prospects, though AMD and Alphabet lagged. Investors await more earnings (Warner Bros. Discovery, Airbnb, Lyft) and Friday’s payrolls report, weighing inflation risks as Fed rhetoric stays cautious; oil eased as Middle East tensions moderated.