01:22 PM EST, 12/26/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Tech stocks were higher Thursday afternoon, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) up 0.2% and the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) rising 1%.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor index added 0.3%.

In corporate news, Apple ( AAPL ) shares rose 0.3% after Wedbush said in a note to clients that artificial intelligence strategy is expected to spur a "golden era of growth" in 2025 for the company.