| U.S. markets finished higher across the board Wednesday, as investor sentiment rebounded ahead of Thursday’s key inflation data and the kickoff to earnings season. The Nasdaq led gains, fueled by a rally in semiconductors and cloud software names—Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) surged on bullish AI chip forecasts, while Snowflake (SNOW) jumped following upbeat guidance at a major tech conference. The S&P 500 was boosted by healthcare and consumer strength: Eli Lilly (LLY) climbed on momentum in its obesity drug franchise, and Walmart (WMT) rose after analysts highlighted steady summer demand across essentials. The Dow also advanced, helped by gains in Boeing (BA), which announced a large international jet order, and UnitedHealth (UNH), which extended its recent rally on continued optimism around Medicare Advantage enrollments. In financials, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Citigroup (C) edged higher as investors positioned cautiously but constructively ahead of Friday’s bank earnings. With markets broadly positive and volatility low, today’s session reflected renewed optimism—but with eyes still fixed on tomorrow’s CPI print for confirmation. Market Drivers: 📱Technology: AMD Surges, Snowflake Pops: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) jumped after analysts boosted AI chip sales estimates tied to accelerating data center demand. Snowflake (SNOW) rallied as management reaffirmed strong enterprise growth expectations during a major tech summit, easing prior guidance concerns. 🏦 Financials: JPMorgan Climbs, Citigroup Ticks Higher: JPMorgan Chase (JPM) gained ahead of earnings as investors looked for strength in trading revenue and consumer credit. Citigroup (C) also advanced modestly as sentiment improved around capital return and loan performance metrics. 🚗 Automotive: Ford Rises, Lucid Slips: Ford Motor (F) rose after reporting strong Q2 hybrid vehicle sales and affirming margin targets. Lucid Group (LCID), however, edged lower as concerns resurfaced about production scaling and liquidity needs. 🏥 Healthcare: Eli Lilly Jumps, CVS Health Slips: Eli Lilly (LLY) surged on continued momentum in its weight-loss drug pipeline and bullish analyst upgrades. CVS Health (CVS) declined after cautious commentary around pharmacy reimbursement trends and healthcare services margins. 🍔 Consumer Discretionary: Walmart Gains, Carnival Softens: Walmart (WMT) moved higher after positive analyst notes cited steady foot traffic and pricing power. Carnival Corp. (CCL) eased slightly as investors rotated out of travel names following a strong seasonal run-up. Want more income? Hold these stocks for the long haul[ad] | 