Major U.S. indices closed Thursday in positive territory, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average edging up 0.05% to 50,668.97, the S&P 500 advancing 0.58% to 7,563.63 and the Nasdaq climbing 0.91% to 26,917.47.

These are the top stocks that gained the attention of retail traders and investors through the day:

Dell Technologies Inc. ( DELL )

Dell Technologies ( DELL ) shares increased by 3.84%, closing at $317.05. The stock reached an intraday high of $327.73 and a low of $311.52, with a 52-week range between $327.73 and $106.38. The stock shot up over 39% to $441 in the after-hours session.

Dell Technologies ( DELL ) reported first-quarter revenue of $43.84 billion and adjusted earnings of $4.86 per share, both far above analyst expectations. Revenue increased 88% year-over-year, driven by a 757% surge in AI-optimized server revenue to $16.1 billion and a 92% increase in traditional servers and networking revenue.

Dell said it booked $24.4 billion in AI-related orders during the quarter and raised its fiscal 2027 AI server revenue outlook to $60 billion. The company also significantly increased its full-year guidance, projecting revenue of $165 billion to $169 billion and adjusted earnings of $17.90 per share, well above Wall Street expectations.

Also on the same day it was reported, Dell secured a five-year, $9.7 billion Pentagon software contract through its subsidiary Dell Federal Systems to streamline Microsoft software and cloud procurement across the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community and Coast Guard.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. ( SMCI )

Super Micro Computer’s stock rose by 8.14%, ending the day at $41.30. It hit a high of $43.55 and a low of $37.61, with a 52-week high of $62.36 and a low of $19.49. The stock rose 9.42% to $45.19 in extended trading.

The company is enhancing compliance controls in its server technology, which has attracted investor interest. Taiwanese authorities detained individuals involved in fraudulent exports of Super Micro AI servers, separate from a U.S. investigation into alleged Nvidia chip smuggling. 

Unusual Machines, Inc. ( UMAC )

Unusual Machines ( UMAC ) saw a remarkable 57.20% surge, closing at $29.60. The stock’s intraday high was $32, with a low of $24.70, and a 52-week range of $32 to $4.81. In the after-hours session, the stock shot up 10.4% to $32.69.

Unusual Machines ( UMAC ) surged after reports said the Pentagon may expand financing support for U.S. drone makers as part of its push to strengthen domestic drone manufacturing and reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. Investor sentiment also improved after partner Powerus advanced to Phase II of the Pentagon's $1 billion drone initiative.

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. ( SPCE )

Virgin Galactic’s stock climbed 19.53% to $4.53, with a high of $4.54 and a low of $3.54. The 52-week range stands at $5.23 to $2.13. The shares gained 18.76% to $5.38 in extended trading.

Virgin stock rose after a federal court granted preliminary approval for a settlement resolving two shareholder derivative lawsuits filed in 2022. Under the agreement, the company's insurers will pay $2.75 million to Virgin Galactic ( SPCE ), while all related claims are expected to be dismissed following final approval.

Costco Wholesale Corporation ( COST )

Costco’s shares fell by 0.85%, closing at $995.20. The stock’s intraday high was $1012, with a low of $994.27, and a 52-week high of $1096.50 and a low of $844.06.

The company reported third-quarter revenue of $70.53 billion, above analyst expectations, as net sales increased 11.6% year-over-year to $69.15 billion. Membership fee revenue rose to $1.37 billion from $1.24 billion a year earlier, while earnings per share matched Wall Street estimates at $4.93.

Comparable sales increased 9.8% companywide during the quarter, including gains of 9.4% in the U.S., 10.7% in Canada and 21.5% growth in digital sales. Costco ended the quarter with 931 warehouses globally, including 639 locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings indicate Dell stock has a Momentum score in the 97th percentile and a Value in the 26th percentile.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.