Apple and other big U.S. companies reporting fatter profits than expected are helping stock indexes shave off more of their sharp losses from the start of the week.

The big market story today is Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), which is lifting all boats and driving the Nasdaq Composite over 1% higher to end the week on a positive note. Apple's Q1 results appeased investors and the markets are seeing the AI glass half full.

US stocks gained steam on Thursday afternoon as investors digested megacap tech earnings and waited for Apple (AAPL) results for more clues on prospects for Big Tech. Right ahead of the closing bell,