Market Movers: Apple’s Unstoppable Rally, Dell’s Earnings Explosion, and Key Stocks Poised for Action

Wall Street is buzzing after another record close for the S&P 500, with several key players poised to dominate the upcoming trading session. From tech giants to retail stalwarts, here’s a look at the stocks making headlines.

Apple's Unstoppable Streak: Nine Weeks and Counting

The tech titan continues its impressive run, with Apple shares notching an incredible nine consecutive winning weeks. As highlighted by CNBC TV’s Carl Quintanilla on "Squawk on the Street," the iPhone maker is on track for yet another positive week. Over the past month, Apple's stock has climbed more than 15%, surging approximately 24% since March 16. This momentum has pushed shares to fresh new highs recently, demonstrating the company's robust performance, as shown in its one-month chart.

Dell Technologies Steals the Spotlight with a Massive Surge

Following Snowflake's impressive jump earlier in the week, Dell Technologies took center stage on Thursday night with an explosive performance. Shares soared nearly 40% in after-hours trading after the company obliterated earnings estimates in its latest release. Dell reported a stunning 88% year-over-year revenue growth. Including its after-hours leap, the stock has catapulted an astounding 111% over the past month, with shares trading around $437 overnight.

Johnson & Johnson in Focus Ahead of Key Medical Conference

All eyes will be on Johnson & Johnson CEO Joaquin Duato as he joins the "Squawk Box" team – Becky Quick, Joe Kernen, and Andrew Ross Sorkin – on Friday morning. His appearance comes ahead of the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting, set to commence in Chicago. While the stock is currently down 8% from its March high, it has posted a respectable 11.5% gain over the past six months, indicating a steady, long-term trajectory as seen in its six-month chart.

Semiconductor Sector Powers Ahead

The semiconductor industry is in overdrive, with CNBC TV’s Kristina Partsinevelos tracking major gains across the sector. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has climbed 18% in May alone and a remarkable 47% over the last three months. Within the ETF, Astera Labs leads the pack, up almost 80% in May. Other notable performers include Micron (up 78% in May), Arm Holdings (up 59% in May), and Intel (up approximately 28% in May). Even industry giant Nvidia saw a 7% gain in May.

Software Stocks Showing Strength

The "Fast Money" team highlighted the significant run in software stocks, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) rising 14% in May. Despite this recent uptick, the ETF remains 19% below its September high, signaling potential for further recovery, as illustrated in its one-month chart.

Nike's Mixed Performance

Nike saw a 3% boost on Thursday, pushing its May gains to nearly 7%. However, the athletic apparel giant’s shares are still down 40% from an August 2025 high, making it the second-worst Dow performer year-to-date in 2026 and the worst over the past three months. This highlights a complex picture for the sportswear leader.

Buckle Reports Amid Inflation Concerns

Retailer Buckle, with stores across more than 40 states, is set to report earnings Friday morning before the market opens. The stock has experienced a 5.7% loss over the past three months and is 18% off its September high. Investors will be keenly listening to executives' comments regarding the impact of higher fuel prices and inflation on consumer spending.

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