US stocks today: Nasdaq surges 1% as chip stocks extend recovery; earnings in focus

US equities opened higher with the Nasdaq Composite surging about 1 percent led by a continued recovery in chip stocks. The Dow Jones rose 77.5 points (0.15 percent) to 51,916.79, the S&P 500 gained 0.63 percent to 7,489.95, and the Nasdaq added 264.5 points (1.04 percent) to 25,772.55. Investors are also watching upcoming corporate earnings for further direction.