Stock market today: Nasdaq, S&P 500, Dow rise as tech fuels holiday spirits, gold climbs to record high

Group 1 - The Nasdaq led US stocks higher with a 0.6% increase, while the S&P 500 also rose by approximately 0.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added around 0.5%, indicating a potential third consecutive day of gains [1] - Tech stocks are recovering from volatility, driven by investor confidence in AI, particularly following positive developments for Oracle and Nvidia [2] - Investors are optimistic about tech maintaining momentum as they anticipate a Santa Claus rally, with stocks nearing record highs after a surprise drop in inflation and stable labor market data [3] Group 2 - Geopolitical tensions have contributed to record highs in gold and silver prices, while crude oil futures have also increased due to heightened US actions against Venezuela [4] - Upcoming economic data releases include the third quarter GDP and updates on the PCE price index, which are expected to provide insights into the economic landscape [5]