Dow, S&P 500 score biggest daily gain since January as Meta, tech earnings embolden bulls

Major U.S. stock indexes posted big gains on Thursday as Meta and other major technology companies embolden bullish investors with better earnings results than anticipated. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA rose about 524 points, or 1.6%, ending near 33,826, while the S&P 500 index SPX gained 2%, according to preliminary FactSet figures. That marked the best daily percentage gains for both since Jan. 6, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The Nasdaq Composite Index COMP led the charge higher Thursday, jumping 2.4%, its best daily advance since Feb. 2. Meta Platforms Inc.’s META said Wednesday that the company’s profit…