Most U.S. stocks rose Wednesday after a topsy-turvy day on Wall Street. The S&P 500 added 0.4%, the Nasdaq climbed 0.7%, and the Dow Jones edged down by 0.1%. Technology stocks led the way after ASML’s profit report, boosting the S&P 500. Big banks like Bank of America and Morgan Stanley also drove the market higher.

Corporate profit reports are under scrutiny as companies need to justify stock gains. The U.S. government shutdown delays important economic updates, making it difficult for the Federal Reserve to assess high inflation or a slowing job market. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments hint at potential rate cuts.

Gold prices rise due to expectations of rate cuts and global uncertainties. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed with South Korea’s Kospi jumping 2.7% and France’s CAC 40 rising 2%. Markets remain volatile amid trade tensions and economic uncertainties worldwide.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Most US stocks rise after swinging through another erratic day