NASDAQ leads gains as US stocks close higher after soft inflation data

US stocks closed higher as NASDAQ led gains following the release of soft inflation data. While cooling inflation boosted tech stocks and crypto, IBM experienced a plunge. Market optimism faces potential disruptions from geopolitical tensions and energy volatility, specifically rising oil prices driven by concerns that the U.S. and Iran may return to all-out war. Despite these risks, the overall market trend remained positive following the reported slowing of inflation rates on Tuesday.