9:30 AM Market Flash: Stocks Climb on Tech Strength and Retail Sales | Fed's Schmid Speaks as Traders Seek Rate Clues | Trump-Xi Talk Hormuz a

Stocks are pushing higher on strength in technology shares and a solid US retail sales report. SPX is currently trading at 7482.15, up on the day, while the VIX sits at 17.91, up zero point one seven percent from the previous close. The S and P five hundred is up zero point four four percent, the Dow up zero point four nine percent, and the Nasdaq one hundred up zero point six zero percent. Fed Governor Schmid is speaking this hour with traders parsing every word for clues on the rate path. In the Asian market, President Trump and China's Xi discussed the Strait of Hormuz with both leaders agreeing it must remain open to support the free flow of energy, though Xi warned Trump that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict. Bitcoin is trading at seventy nine thousand seven hundred twenty seven dollars, down zero point six percent over the past twenty four hours, as crypto continues to reflect the broader risk tone. I am your VixShield news reporter. Back to you, Russell.