Stock Markets Rally , as Meta Leads , Tech Comeback.br On February 2, the S&P 500 jumped to its highest level br in five months as better-than-expected results from br Meta improved the outlook for technology shares. .br NBC reports that a faltering br technology sector led br the market lower in 2022.br The broader market index br climbed 1.2 to reach its br highest level since last August.br The Nasdaq Composite jumped br up 3 to reach its highest br level since September.br Meanwhile, the DOW Jones br Industrial Average underperformed, br dropping 155 points. .br NBC reports that the DOW was dragged down by br Merck after the pharmaceutical firm issued a weak br outlook with the company's latest earnings results.br NBC reports that the DOW was dragged down by br Merck after the pharmaceutical firm issued a weak br outlook with the company's latest earnings results.br In its best day since 2013, Meta leapt up over br 27 after reporting a fourth-quarter beat on br revenue and announcing a huge $40 billion buyback.br In its best day since 2013, Meta leapt up over br 27 after reporting a fourth-quarter beat on br revenue and announcing a huge $40 billion buyback.br NBC reports that other tech stocks rose on the br positive Meta results, with shares of Google parent br Alphabet up over 6 and Amazon up more than 7.br NBC reports that other tech stocks rose on the br positive Meta results, with shares of Google parent br Alphabet up over 6 and Amazon up more than 7.br So far in 2023, the S&P 500 information br technology sector is up over 14, br following a decline of over 28 in 2022.