Indexes Advance as AI Infrastructure Stocks Draw Retail Focus

Investors rotated back into artificial-intelligence and related infrastructure stocks as major U.S. indexes rose, with Dell, Super Micro Computer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, optical-networking firms and other data-center suppliers drawing attention. Retail traders also focused on Intel, Apple, Nvidia, Nebius and Oracle amid product launches, corporate developments, earnings expectations and shifting views on AI hardware demand. Individual stocks posting sharp gains included Aethlon Medical after announcing a merger with North Immunology, Oklo as nuclear-power shares benefited from data-center legislation, and CID HoldCo following an electric-vehicle infrastructure acquisition, though several moves reflected speculative trading and financing risks. Analysts highlighted potential reversals or continued volatility in Axon Enterprise, Sterling Infrastructure, Celestica and Dycom Industries after steep declines, while a separate review favored Uber for improving consumer growth and cash generation but criticized PVH for weak revenue trends and limited free cash flow. Companies including PACCAR, Abbott, Texas Instruments and Kroger announced or increased shareholder dividends, with Texas Instruments’ planned 7% increase extending its record of annual dividend growth.