Wall Street moved cautiously higher as investors braced for a pivotal week. The stock market today saw modest gains, reflecting a mix of optimism and lingering uncertainty surrounding economic data and corporate earnings.
Key Indexes Edge Higher in Early Trading
During early trading Monday, the S&P 500 rose by 0.3%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 207 points. The Nasdaq Composite showed a more modest gain, up 0.1%. After weeks of significant swings driven by shifting trade policy expectations, the relative calm in the stock market today offered investors a brief respite.
Markets have been particularly sensitive to any news regarding U.S. trade policy, especially around President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Hopes that tensions might ease have helped the S&P 500 recover nearly half the losses from a recent drop of almost 20% from its all-time highs.
Earnings Season in Full Swing
Investors are keenly watching earnings reports this week. Four of the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants — Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) — are scheduled to release their latest quarterly results.
Additionally, Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX), Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO), and McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) will issue their earnings. Strong results from these companies could reinforce the stock market’s recent rally, while disappointing numbers may trigger renewed volatility in the stock market today.
Economic Reports Add to the Uncertainty
Beyond corporate earnings, key economic indicators are also due this week. The Conference Board will release its consumer confidence report on Tuesday, and the U.S. government will publish data on consumer spending, inflation, gross domestic product, and employment.
Investors hope these reports will clarify whether the economy is strong enough to weather ongoing trade tensions and monetary policy uncertainties. Any signs of weakness could cause the stock market today to reverse course quickly.
Corporate Moves: Domino’s and Deliveroo in Focus
In corporate news, Domino’s Pizza (NYSE:DPZ) fell 1.5% in premarket trading after reporting quarterly revenue that slightly missed Wall Street’s expectations. The company also revealed a decline in U.S. same-store sales and noted ongoing challenges in the global economic environment. While Domino’s did not specifically cite tariffs, many companies are adjusting their outlooks due to policy uncertainty.
Meanwhile, shares of Deliveroo (LSE:ROO) surged to three-year highs after DoorDash (NASDAQ:DASH) made a $3.6 billion takeover offer. Deliveroo announced it would suspend its share buyback program following the bid, signaling the seriousness of the proposal.
Global Markets Mixed Amid Trade Uncertainty
European markets showed strength, with Germany’s DAX rising 0.4%, France’s CAC 40 up 0.6%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 gaining 0.2%. In contrast, Asian markets were mixed. China’s Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng remained nearly unchanged. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.4%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.4%.
Ongoing ambiguity surrounding U.S.-China trade talks continues to weigh on sentiment overseas. President Trump claims negotiations are ongoing, but U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated formal talks have yet to begin.
Energy and Currency Markets Update
In energy trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil fell 31 cents to $62.71 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude, the international benchmark, slipped 30 cents to $65.50 per barrel.
On the currency front, the U.S. dollar weakened slightly to 143.45 Japanese yen, while the euro edged lower to $1.1347.
Outlook for the Stock Market Today
While the stock market today started with cautious gains, much depends on upcoming earnings and economic data. Investors remain hopeful that positive corporate results and signs of economic resilience will keep the rally alive, but any surprises could reignite volatility.
Stay tuned for updates as the busiest week of earnings season unfolds and new economic indicators offer clues about the future direction of the markets.
Featured Image – Freepik
