US stocks close higher after volatile session

US stock indices closed higher on Monday after a volatile trading session, as investor concerns over the ongoing trade war led by US President Donald Trump persisted, despite a slight improvement in sentiment following the exemption of certain technology imports from reciprocal tariffs.

The S&P 500 index gained 0.79%, to 5,405 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.78%, or 312 points, to settle at 40,524 points.

The Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 0.64% to 16,831 points, supported by strong performance in the technology sector. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund, which tracks the sector's performance, added 0.91% to settle at $200.16.

Apple shares climbed 2.21% to $202.52, boosting the company’s market value to $3.045 trillion. Meanwhile, shares of computer maker Dell Technologies surged 3.98% to $85.19.

As for European markets, the STOXX Europe 600 advanced 2.7% to 499.89 points, supported by gains from the technology, energy, and banking sectors.

The FTSE index soared 2.15% to 8,134 points. France’s CAC 40 climbed 2.35% to finish at 7,273 points. Germany’s DAX index also added 2.85%, to 20,954 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei index rose 1.2%, or 396 points, to 33,982. The broader Topix index inched up 0.9% to 2,488 points.

On oil, Brent crude futures for June delivery gained 0.20%, or 12 cents, to $64.88 a barrel, supported by a nearly 5% year-on-year increase in China’s crude oil imports during March.

Meanwhile, US WTI crude futures for May delivery inched up by 3 cents to $61.53 a barrel.

As for gold, futures for June delivery fell by 0.60% to $3,226.30 per ounce, as investors showed more appetite for risk.