Stock market today: Dow inches up 0.08%, S&P 500 gains 0.77%, Nasdaq soars 1.41% amid hopes for softer US-China trade and monetary policy signals.

In a day marked by anticipation and reaction to political signals from the White House, all three major US stock indexes reflected the market's ongoing sensitivity to trade and monetary policy news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) edged up modestly by 0.08%, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) recorded a more solid gain of 0.77%, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) experienced a notable climb of 1.41%, underscoring a trend driven largely by investor sentiment.

The uptick in stock prices was buoyed by President Donald Trump's recent comments that suggest a potential easing of tensions in the ongoing trade war with China. This comes on the heels of Trump indicating a softer stance concerning Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's position. This political maneuvering has seemingly instilled a sense of relief across the markets, as investors anticipate a more stable economic environment should tariffs on China be relaxed and monetary policy remain independently decided.

Sector-specific news contributed to the market movement as well. Enphase Energy faced a setback with its shares declining after missing first-quarter earnings estimates, amidst a broader rally in stocks like Duolingo, which gained ground following a bullish report from Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile, Intuitive Surgical faced pressure on its margins due to the tariff environment.

Deutsche Bank's recent downgrade of its year-end target for the S&P 500 highlighted the broader market apprehension about trade impacts, but the market seems momentarily buoyed by hopes of Trump’s de-escalation in rhetoric.

The gains were more pronounced in the tech-heavy Nasdaq, largely reflecting big tech's strong positioning amid volatility, although the broader market dynamics remain influenced by the potential of tariff policy adjustments and ongoing speculation on Federal Reserve independence.

Overall, while the upward movement today suggests regained investor confidence, the prevailing market climate remains one defined by geopolitical developments and central bank cues. The modest rise in the Dow juxtaposed against larger gains in the Nasdaq and S&P 500 suggests varied optimism across sectors, with technology and consumer sectors reaping the benefits of a more dovish trade and monetary policy outlook. As markets continue to respond to political signals, the recalibration of expectations around US-China trade relations and the Federal Reserve's future actions remain pivotal to sustaining this positive trajectory.