US stocks rose on Wednesday, heading for their first gain in four sessions, as easing pressure in the bond market and stronger-than-expected corporate earnings supported investor sentiment.The S&P 500 rose 0.3 percent in early trading, coming close to last week’s record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 62 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.6 percent, the AP reported.Treasury yields edged lower, providing some relief after recent concerns over rising borrowing costs. The yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury fell to 4.64 per cent from 4.66 per cent late Tuesday, although that remains well above levels seen before the Iran conflict began.Higher yields have raised concerns for markets as it increases borrowing costs for households and businesses, including in areas such as artificial intelligence infrastructure and data center investments.Oil prices also retreated, easing some concerns about inflation and economic growth.US benchmark crude fell $2.65 to $101.50 a barrel, while Brent crude fell $2.89 to $108.39 a barrel. However, gasoline prices in the US continued to rise, with the average price rising 3 cents overnight to $4.56 a gallon, according to AAA data.Among individual stocks, TJX Companies, the parent company of TJ Maxx and Marshalls, climbed 5.4 percent after reporting quarterly profit and revenue that exceeded analysts’ expectations.Target shares rose 2 percent after the retailer reported strong first-quarter sales and raised its annual revenue outlook.The company, which is implementing a turnaround strategy under its new chief executive earlier this year, said it expects the momentum to continue through 2026.Investors’ attention is now focused on Nvidia’s quarterly earnings after market close.The chip maker has repeatedly surpassed Wall Street’s expectations and its results are expected to impact technology stocks and broader sentiment around the artificial intelligence sector.Nvidia shares had fallen 0.8 percent on Tuesday, but were up 1.8 percent in pre-market trading on Wednesday.European markets were on the rise with Germany’s DAX rising 0.5 percent and France’s CAC 40 rising 0.6 percent. Britain’s FTSE 100 was largely unchanged.However, Asian markets remained under pressure. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.2 percent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.6 percent and Shanghai’s composite index slipped 0.3 percent. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.9 percent, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.3 percent.
