- This was more than a broad index rally, with particularly strong moves across AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and optical connectivity names. - The Nasdaq 100 gained 2.83%, well ahead of the S&P 500's 1.49%, indicating concentrated buying in growth and technology stocks. - $AXTI rose 14.14%, $INTC 12.14%, $SIVEF 9.47%, and $LWLG 7.45%, placing them among the strongest names on the screen. - Optical connectivity names also moved broadly higher, including $GLW +5.89%, $MRVL +5.38%, $CIEN +4.92%, $TSEM +4.57%, and $AAOI +3.33%. - Equipment and testing names were also broadly positive, with $AEHR +3.68%, $VECO +3.51%, $KEYS +2.10%, and $FORM +0.79%. - Larger optical-component names participated as well, with $LITE +2.53% and $COHR +1.31%, suggesting strength extended beyond smaller speculative names. - $VICR was particularly notable after hours, adding another 11.12% after gaining only 0.53% during the regular session. > The most interesting part of today's tape is that many of the photonics, optical-connectivity, and semiconductor-equipment names I follow moved higher at the same time. This looks less like a single-stock event and more like AI-infrastructure risk-on sentiment spreading across multiple layers of the supply chain. > The much larger moves in smaller optical and materials names such as $AXTI, $SIVEF, and $LWLG compared with $LITE and $COHR are especially interesting. It may suggest investors are extending exposure beyond established optical leaders into materials, light sources, and component-level names. > With the Nasdaq up 2.83%, the overall market was clearly a major tailwind, so one strong session should not be interpreted as a fundamental change in every company. Still, the fact that the broader AI-photonics basket materially participated is worth watching.