Stock market news live updates: Stocks surge as relief rally gains steam on upbeat earnings

A rally in U.S. stocks gained momentum Thursday, placing markets on track to snap a 7-week losing streak. The S&P 500 surged 2%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 550 points, or 1.8%. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.5% as the index attempts to claw its way out of bear market territory. Strong retail earnings…