S&P 500, Dow Climb 0.3% as Tech Shares Lead Modest Rally

U.S. stocks edged higher in afternoon trading on June 2, 2026, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.3% as gains in technology and consumer discretionary shares offset declines in utilities and real estate. The move extended a week-long uptrend amid cautious optimism over easing inflation expectations. The S&P 500 added 12 points to 5,980, while the Dow gained 115 points to 42,300. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.4%. Information technology led sector gains, with Microsoft (MSFT) and Apple (AAPL) up more than 1%. However, trading volumes remained thin, signaling cautious sentiment ahead of Friday’s jobs report. Energy stocks dipped as crude oil prices slipped 0.7% on demand concerns. The quiet session reflected traders’ focus on upcoming economic data for clues on the Federal Reserve’s rate path.