U.S. markets closed higher, led by growth stocks like Alphabet and Tesla. An anticipated AI agreement between Alphabet Inc. and Apple Inc. to integrate Google's Gemini AI engine into the iPhone was a key highlight. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose to 51, its highest in eight months. Asian markets were mixed, with Japan's Nikkei 225 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 up, while India's Nifty 50 and China's Shanghai Composite declined. European markets saw gains, except for the U.K.'s FTSE 100. Commodities and U.S. futures varied, with crude oil slightly down and the U.S. Dollar Index up.