The S&P 500 climbs 0.78% to close at 6869.5 points as crypto stocks soar
Moderna surges 16% after legal settlement
The American biotech company Moderna experienced the strongest gain in the S&P 500 on Wednesday, with a 15.99% increase, closing at $57.80. This surge followed the announcement of an agreement to end a multi-year patent dispute related to mRNA vaccines. Following Moderna's lead, the financial sector also shone: Coinbase Global soared 14.57% to $208.93, while Robinhood Markets posted an 8.07% increase to $82.21. These two trading platforms, heavily exposed to cryptocurrencies, benefited from renewed investor interest in digital assets. Ad platform Applovin Corporation rounded out the top three with a 10.01% rise to $482.81.
Consumer Stocks Punished
Going against the trend, some defensive and consumer stocks have faced pressure. Spirits manufacturer Brown Forman dropped 6.65% to settle at $26.26, marking the largest decline in the index. Cruise company Royal Caribbean Cruises fell 4.68% to $287.21, while food group Campbell's Company declined 3.69% to $25.09. Restaurant chains like Darden Restaurants (-3.41% to $203.41) and consumer goods producers like Clorox (-3.07% to $117.43) were also among the day's steepest declines.
A Rebound Session Amid Uncertain Climate
The S&P 500 closed the session on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6,869.5 points, up by 0.78%. This performance represents a rebound after several challenging sessions in a market characterized by persistent volatility. Technology and financial stocks provided the main support, while more defensive sectors had a mixed day.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
