Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as oil tumbles, investors brace for busy week
US markets face a volatile start to the week as investors weigh shifting geopolitical conditions against heavy corporate earnings expectations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a modest gain of 0.2 percent, but broader indices struggled to maintain momentum. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.6 percent as semiconductor stocks faced a significant sell-off.
Technology sector weakness remains a primary concern for market participants. Nvidia shares fell more than 5 percent following reports of potential large-scale financing for OpenAI data centers. Meanwhile, shares of ASML declined over 4 percent after news that a state-backed company in China began mass production of critical chipmaking equipment. Apple provided a rare bright spot in the tech sector, overtaking Nvidia as the world’s most valuable company with a market cap nearing 5 trillion dollars.
Energy markets reacted sharply to news of a pause in hostilities between the United States and Iran. Brent crude futures dipped below 90 dollars a barrel, a decline of more than 7 percent. This cooling in oil prices provides a measure of relief for the Federal Reserve, which prepares for a policy meeting on Wednesday. While officials are expected to keep interest rates steady, the possibility of a hike remains part of the conversation as the central bank monitors persistent inflation signals.
Investors are now turning their attention toward a dense schedule of earnings reports. Key players including Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon will release financial results this week. Market analysts are focused on capital expenditure guidance to determine if spending on artificial intelligence will translate into sustainable growth or if the current levels of investment threaten to pressure profit margins for the remainder of the year.