The Nasdaq Composite surged more than 1% on March 4, 2026, closing at 22,807.48 and posting its strongest daily gain in recent sessions as investors rotated back into technology and growth stocks following a volatile stretch driven by Middle East tensions and energy price swings.

The tech-heavy index advanced 290.79 points, or 1.29%, from the previous close of 22,516.69. It opened at 22,620.89, dipped briefly to an intraday low of 22,570.67 amid early caution, then rallied to a session high of 22,891.88 before settling near the upper end of the range. Trading volume reached approximately 10.9 billion shares, above average and reflecting renewed participation from institutional accounts.

The move came after three consecutive sessions of mixed performance, with the index dropping 1.02% on March 3 amid broader market pressure from rising oil prices and uncertainty over U.S.-Iran developments. Wednesday’s rebound aligned with gains in the broader S&P 500 (up 0.78% to 6,869.50) while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49% to 48,739.41, illustrating a risk-on tilt favoring higher-beta names.

Technology megacaps and semiconductors led the charge. Broadcom soared more than 5% in recent trading on optimistic guidance for AI-related demand, while other chipmakers and software firms participated amid hopes that geopolitical risks would prove contained rather than escalate into prolonged supply disruptions. The Nasdaq’s outperformance relative to the Dow highlighted investor preference for growth-oriented equities despite macro headwinds.

“Tech is showing resilience as the market digests the idea that energy shocks may be transitory,” one market strategist noted in a client note. “With corporate earnings holding up and AI spending narratives intact, dip-buying emerged quickly after the pullback.”

The Nasdaq has shown significant volatility in early 2026. It reached an all-time high near 24,000 in late January before retreating amid tariff concerns, rotation out of mega-caps and periodic flare-ups in global tensions. Year-to-date through March 4, the index remained modestly lower in some measurements but had recouped much of February’s losses. The 52-week range spans roughly 18,000 to over 24,000, underscoring the high-beta nature of the benchmark.

Broader context includes sustained AI enthusiasm and corporate resilience. Many Nasdaq-listed companies reported solid quarterly results despite higher input costs, with guidance often affirming continued investment in cloud, semiconductors and software. Advertising and consumer tech sectors also showed stability, supporting the index’s recovery.

Geopolitical factors continue to loom. Oil prices moderated after brief spikes tied to Gulf region developments, easing inflation fears that had pressured longer-duration assets. Treasury yields stabilized, providing a supportive backdrop for growth stocks sensitive to discount rates.

Analysts maintain a generally positive longer-term view on the Nasdaq. Consensus targets suggest potential upside, driven by innovation cycles, earnings momentum and possible Federal Reserve flexibility if economic data softens. However, valuations remain stretched in parts of the index, with forward multiples elevated and leaving room for corrections on any negative surprises.

Risks include escalation in the Middle East that could sustain higher energy costs, renewed tariff rhetoric impacting supply chains or a slowdown in AI capex if corporate budgets tighten. High concentration in a handful of mega-cap names also amplifies moves, both up and down.

Looking ahead, investors eye upcoming economic releases, including employment and inflation data, alongside continued corporate updates. Any signs of de-escalation abroad or stronger-than-expected earnings could extend the rebound, while persistent volatility remains likely in this environment.

The March 4 performance reinforces the Nasdaq’s role as a barometer for risk appetite and technological progress in 2026. As the index holds above key technical levels near 22,500, traders watch for sustained momentum amid ongoing global uncertainties.

Wendy’s has launched a nationwide contest offering one fan the opportunity to become the company’s “Chief Tasting Officer,” a role tied to a $100,000 compensation package.

The Wendy’s Chief Tasting Officer contest began March 2 and runs through March 30, according to the contest’s official rules.

The grand prize includes “the opportunity to become Wendy’s Chief Tasting Officer and employment by Wendy’s as an independent contractor, receiving a salary equal to $100,000,” conditioned upon completing specified social media content deliverables under contract.

Wendy’s said it is looking for “one lucky fan with genuine brand love, creativity, and a personality that fits everything Wendy’s stands for.”

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Wendy’s launched the “Chief Tasting Officer” competition this week, with a grand prize of $100K. (Image courtesy of The Wendy’s Company / Unknown)

“If you’re the type who cares more about fresh, never frozen beef than climbing the corporate ladder or knows more about JBCs than KPIs—we want you,” the company said. “Apply here and show us what you’ve got.”

The contest comes as fast-food brands exchange jabs online.

A recent video posted by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski reviewing the chain’s new Big Arch burger drew attention after he described the sandwich as a “delicious product.”

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An employee hands a customer their order at the drive-thru window of a Wendy’s Co. restaurant in Peoria, Illinois, U.S., on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015.  (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg / Getty Images)

“Holy cow! God, that is a big burger,” Kempczinski said. “That is so good.”

The McDonald’s website describes the limited-time burger as featuring two quarter-pound patties, three slices of cheddar cheese, lettuce and pickles, along with crispy and slivered onions and a “tangy [and] creamy” sauce.

Social media users reacted in the comments.

“He acts like he’s never seen a burger before. Impressed by sesame seeds,” one Instagram user wrote.

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A Wendy’s restaurants on November 13, 2025 in lower Manhattan, New York City. Fast food chain Wendy’s has reported a 4.7% decline in sales at U.S. locations, and the company has decided to close hundreds of its U.S. stores next year. (ZAMEK/VIEWpress / Getty Images)

“That was the smallest first bite I’ve ever seen,” another said.

“It scares me when you call food ‘product,’” a third added.

Wendy’s official X account reposted a video shared by account PopCrave, writing: “This is what it looks like when you don’t have to pretend to like your ‘product’”

Popeyes’ official X account posted their own clapback, writing: “they really do need to hire someone to taste their food to be fair.”

Wendy’s responded: “Flopeyes”

According to the official rules, the contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., who are 18 years of age or older. No purchase is necessary.

Participants can enter by posting a public 60-second video on Instagram or TikTok using #WendysCTOContest and tagging @Wendys, or by uploading a submission through www.wendyschieftastingofficer.com.

Entries that feature Wendy’s products, logos, stores or branding receive five additional points during judging.

Ten finalists will be selected based on creativity, brand love, brand safety, personality and potential. Each category accounts for 20% of the judging score.

The company’s promotional listing describes the position as:

Title: Chief Tasting Officer
Pay: $100,000
Job Type: Dream

The required credentials include: “A human mouth. A pulse. Opinions. Creativity. Taste.”

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Babydog Justice, the English bulldog and beloved mascot belonging to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, also reacted on X.

“I noticed being human is a requirement for this role… @Wendys is barking up the wrong tree,” the account wrote. “This job is clearly meant for a paw-fessional taste tester like me!”

Entrants must be at least 18 years old and legal residents of the United States or Washington, D.C.

Fox News Digital’s Andrea Margolis contributed to this reporting.

Target announced on Thursday it will open its 2,000th store this month in North Carolina as part of an expansion that will include dozens more stores opening this year.

The milestone 2,000th location will open in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, on March 15. It will be Target’s 55th store in North Carolina. The new 148,000-square-foot store, located near Raleigh, will include a CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks Cafe and Disney Shop inside.

The company said this location “represents the future of Target’s elevated guest experience with its open, easily navigable layout, convenient same-day services and winning team delivering a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping visit.”

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The milestone 2,000th location will open in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, on March 15. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo / Reuters Photos)

Target also plans to open 30 new stores this year and 300 by 2035 in what the company described as a new chapter in its strategy to drive long-term, sustainable growth by investing in stores.

In addition to the new store in North Carolina, other new Target stores are set to open this month in Bakersfield and Delano, California; Springfield, Missouri; Jersey City and West Orange, New Jersey; and Dallas, Texas.

“Guests tell us all the time they want a Target closer to home, and this investment helps us do exactly that,” Adrienne Costanzo, chief stores officer at Target said in a press release. “That means even more neighborhoods will get the full Target experience: trend-forward style and value, technology that makes the trip effortless and awesome teams who deliver easy, inspiring and friendly moments every single day.”

Target also plans to open 30 new stores this year and 300 by 2035. (iStock / iStock)

The company said there is a Target store within 10 miles of most doorsteps across the U.S.

Target has listed more than 40 additional communities across 25 states that will eventually have a new store open. Based on the future store openings Target has already confirmed, the states that will have the most new stores are Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

It also said there would be more than 130 remodels on top of the store openings. Next-day delivery will also launch in more than 20 new metro areas, which the company said reaches 60% of the U.S. population.

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The company said there is a Target store within 10 miles of most doorsteps across the U.S. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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The retailer said it is “making a commitment to the neighborhoods it calls home.”

“Every time we open a new Target store, we’re planting roots in that community,” Costanzo said. “That means in addition to delivering a better shopping experience that’s faster and more reliable, we’re creating growth and opportunity — through good jobs, support for local nonprofits and long-term economic investment in the neighborhoods we serve. When our teams and communities thrive, so do we.”

Market Overview

Inflation trends lower, for now

Inflation, as measured by the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI), continued easing during the fourth quarter. However, the government shutdown caused disruptions in the data collection process that may have called its reliability