DARK SECRETS: Stocks rally on ai spending optimism - The Real Truth

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is up +0.28%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) is up +0.04%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is up +0.81%.  March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are up +0.25%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are up +0.79%.

Stock indexes are moving higher today, with the S&P 500 posting a new all-time high and the Nasdaq 100 posting a 3-month high. Strength in chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks is leading the overall market higher today after a sharp increase in orders at ASML Holding NV added fresh optimism to the sustainability of artificial intelligence spending.  ASML Holding NV, the only producer of lithography machines that are needed to make advanced semiconductors, reported today that Q4 bookings were a record 13.2 billion euros, well above the consensus of 6.85 billion euros.  Also, better-than-expected earnings results from Seagate Technology Holdings NV and Texas Instruments added to the bullish market sentiment.