US equity close: A surge to the finish line to close at record highs

US equity markets surged to record highs on Thursday, with all three major indexes closing at new peaks. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to close at 4,224.79, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.9% to end the day at 34,548.53. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also saw a strong performance, climbing 1.8% to finish at 13,632.84.

The rally was driven by a number of factors, including strong economic data and optimism about the reopening of the economy. Investors were also encouraged by the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates near zero and maintain its asset purchase program.

Tech stocks were among the biggest gainers, with Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft all posting strong gains. Energy and financial stocks also performed well, as rising commodity prices and a steepening yield curve boosted their prospects.

The surge to record highs came after a choppy trading session earlier in the week, as investors grappled with concerns about inflation and the potential for the Fed to begin tapering its stimulus measures. However, Thursday's strong performance suggests that investors are increasingly confident in the economic recovery and the prospects for corporate earnings.

Looking ahead, market participants will be closely watching for any signs of inflationary pressures and the Fed's response to them. The central bank has indicated that it sees any inflationary pressures as transitory, but if they persist, it could prompt a change in monetary policy.

Overall, Thursday's record-setting close for US equities reflects the ongoing optimism about the economic recovery and the resilience of corporate America. As the economy continues to reopen and businesses rebound, investors are increasingly bullish about the outlook for stocks.