U.S. equities advanced on Thursday, with the S&P 500 climbing to 6,262, close to technical resistance around 6,275–6,300. Traders noted a tight trading band supported by options-market positioning and subdued volatility, with nearby support seen at 6,210. Analysts pointed to unusually high positive gamma exposure ahead of the 18 July options expiration—estimated at 25.3% for the SPY ETF—as a key factor muting price swings and encouraging dip-buying. The VIX remained weak, reinforcing expectations that large moves could stay limited unless the index decisively breaks above current resistance. Under the surface, banks, airlines and materials shares outperformed, helping lift the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while semiconductor-heavy technology names kept the Nasdaq-100 softer. The small-cap Russell 2000 stayed close to its highs, reflecting broader risk appetite even as sector rotations continued.