03:53 PM EST, 12/06/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Tech stocks were higher late Friday afternoon, with the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) up 0.4% and the SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) rising 1.6%.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor index increased 0.5%.

In corporate news, Microsoft ( MSFT )-backed (MSFT) OpenAI is in talks to get rid of a clause that prevents Microsoft ( MSFT ) from getting access to its most advanced technology when OpenAI reaches "artificial general intelligence," the Financial Times reported. Microsoft ( MSFT ) shares added 0.5%.

Rubrik ( RBRK ) shares jumped 23% after the company reported stronger-than-expected fiscal Q3 results late Thursday.

SMX (SMX) shares soared past 60% after it said Friday it signed a non-binding agreement with Ybyra Capital to explore a potential merger.

DocuSign ( DOCU ) shares surged 28% in recent Friday trading, a day after the company lifted its full-year revenue outlook and reported better-than-expected fiscal Q3 results.