Stocks Bounce Back on Microsoft Earnings

U.S. stocks are recovering after Microsoft's strong earnings report boosted investor confidence. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% early Thursday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 270 points.

The Nasdaq composite, which is heavily weighted with tech stocks, jumped 1.6%, rebounding from a 9.8% drop a day earlier that was its worst in seven weeks.

Oil prices fell modestly, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude slipped $1.06 to $87.03 per barrel, while benchmark U.S. crude lost $1.10 to $83.36 per barrel.