US stocks gained steam on Thursday afternoon as investors digested megacap tech earnings and waited for Apple (AAPL) results for more clues on prospects for Big Tech. Right ahead of the closing bell,

Gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. And weekly jobless claims totaled 207,000 for the week ending January 25, a decrease of 16,000 from the 223,000 reported in the week prior, according to the Department of Labor.

Investors react to the Federal Reserve's policy decision and Chairman Jerome Powell's press conference, as well as results from Meta, Microsoft and Tesla.

Dow Jones stocks edged higher in the stock market today as investors awaited Powell's remarks and earnings from three tech titans.