Microsoft valuation surges above $4 trillion as AI lifts stocks

NEW YORK — Microsoft surged above $4 trillion in market value early Thursday following strong earnings, as investor bullishness for artificial intelligence lifted major indices further into record territory.

Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were trading above all-time closing highs early Thursday, supported also by strong earnings from Facebook parent Meta and a US trade deal with South Korea that offset data showing an uptick in US inflation in June. — Agence France-Presse