Markets bounced back strongly on Friday, reversing Thursday's pullback with all major indices posting solid gains. The Russell 2000 led the rally with a 1.01% surge, signaling renewed risk appetite as small-cap stocks found buyers. The VIX dropped 3.31%, reflecting eased investor anxiety after Thursday's volatility spike. After-hours action was dominated by AI and cybersecurity names, with NVIDIA surging on record data center revenue and Palo Alto Networks gaining on strong security demand. Traditional media names came under pressure, highlighting ongoing sector challenges. Futures are pointing to a positive open on Monday, with traders likely to focus on AI momentum, cybersecurity strength, and any weekend geopolitical developments. While valuations remain extended, the bullish trend remains intact as earnings continue to impress across multiple sectors.