Alphabet, Intel, Micron Lead Nasdaq Higher as Oil Drops on Paused Mideast Tensions

The Nasdaq rallied as mega-cap techs led by Alphabet lifted the index, supported by strong big‑tech earnings, a pullback in crude oil and a pause in Middle East tensions. Intel jumped to a fresh all‑time high and Micron surged above $600, while Alphabet’s blowout results (revenue $109.9B, EPS $5.11, Google Cloud +63% with backlog nearly doubling) reinforced risk appetite. Lower WTI (~$100) and a retreat in the VIX (~17) eased inflation and volatility concerns, benefiting long‑duration tech multiples even as pockets of weakness (PayPal guidance miss) remain. Treasury yields (10‑yr ~4.4%, 30‑yr >5%) and narrow market breadth are watch points; if oil stays below $100 and the cease‑fire holds, the article sees the path of least resistance for the Composite as higher.