Nvidia ( NVDA -3.00%) dominated much of the conversation among investors in 2024 as the stock marched 171% higher for the year. That was for good reason, as revenue and earnings exploded, with many big tech companies scrambling to acquire Nvidia's advanced chips for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

Rising technology stocks helped U.S. indexes recover more of their holiday-season slide that bridged the new year.

Uber drove 3.9% higher after the ride-hailing app said it would accelerate $1.5 billion in purchases of its own stock, part of a previously announced $7 billion buyback program. Uber’s chief financial officer, Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah, said it’s making the move because its stock price looks cheap compared with the strength of its business.