Nasdaq Today: Nasdaq Gains 0.14% as AI Stocks Offset; Netflix, Tesla, Apple & Lam Research Crash – Check Key Drivers, Daily Performance, Top Gainers-Losers & What Investors Should Watch

US stocks traded mixed as AI-driven tech gains offset geopolitical concerns, while oil climbed, natural gas fell and Bitcoin stayed higher.

By: Amreen Ahmad
Last Updated: July 21, 2026 01:19:28 IST

US Stock Market Today: The United States stock market started the week mixed due to the consideration of escalating geopolitical events alongside the performance of technology stocks linked to the growth of artificial intelligence (AI). The Dow Jones Industrial Average was seen moving lower although Nasdaq 100 and the S&P 500 showed minor gains supported by the chip sector and big tech firms. Higher yields on Treasuries, higher crude oil prices and the possibility of elevated interest rates by the Fed also shaped the mood.

US Stock Market Today Live: Market Snapshot

Index Price Daily Change Monthly Change Year-to-Date Change
Dow Jones (US30) 51,856 -0.56% +0.29% +17.02%
S&P 500 7,451.01 +0.09% -0.28% +18.18%
Nasdaq 100 28,551 +0.14% -5.96% +23.12%
Russell 2000 2,951.27 -0.37% -1.77% +32.28%
US MidCap 400 3,756.33 -0.50% -1.32% +19.20%
VIX 18.47 -0.30% +1.19% +1.82%

US Stock Market Today: Key Market Indicators

Indicator Latest Change
Crude Oil 82.84 +0.43%
Brent Crude 88.78 +0.77%
Gold 4,014.69 -0.06%
US Dollar Index (DXY) 100.93 +0.16%
US 10-Year Treasury Yield 4.60% +1.12%
Inflation Rate 3.5% Down from 4.2%
Fed Funds Rate 3.75% Unchanged
Unemployment Rate 4.2% Down from 4.3%

Nasdaq Today

The Nasdaq managed to stay in positive terrain as the investors kept investing in tech and semiconductor stocks while it was the companies dealing in AI that led the pack, including Intel, AMD, Microsoft, Broadcom and Alphabet. Despite being on the receiving end, the tech-dominated index managed to outperform the overall market thanks to investor confidence in the AI beneficiaries.

What Is Happening in the US Stock Market Today?

The Wall Street market continued to be volatile due to the geo-political situation prevailing in the Middle East with the concerns about an increase in the price of oil and yield on Treasuries, the blue-chip and industrial stocks were impacted adversely, leading to a drop of over 200 points in the Dow index. The semiconductor stocks were witnessing positive movement due to positive expectations around the investment in artificial intelligence. Micron Technology was up by over 2% and Alphabet was up by almost 2% ahead of its earnings guidance.

Why Is US Stock Market Up or Down Today?

The market is showing mixed performance due to the various economic and geopolitical forces that the investors are trying to balance. The increase in the price of crude oil has raised the possibility that the inflation rate may be high enough to postpone future rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. In addition, the rise in the yield on Treasury bills has led to a decline in demand for certain stock categories however the positive outlook on profits and investments in AI infrastructure have helped technology stocks.

Crude Oil Climbs Over 1% as Truce Hopes Offset Houthi Blockade Risks

Crude oil prices managed to close with gains of over 1%, buoyed by expectations that fresh negotiations between Iran and the United States would resolve any possible disruptions to supplies. The price of Brent crude closed at $89.22 a barrel, while that of WTI crude was seen at $83.23 a barrel however, the gains were constrained by the persistent threat of the Houthi blockade in the Red Sea region, as well as reduced activity in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Natural Gas Futures Fall 2% on Higher Output & Weaker LNG Demand

Natural gas futures in the US have fallen by roughly 2%, as the August contract closed at $2.86 per mmBtu and increased output from domestic fields and lower exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) put downward pressure on prices despite expectations of warmer conditions in parts of the country. The current level of inventories is above average for this time of year, although the threat of a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico may interrupt LNG activity and still, natural gas prices in the US are much lower than in Europe and Asia.

Cryptocurrency Market Today: Bitcoin, Ether & Major Altcoins

The cryptocurrency market traded mostly higher alongside resilient risk sentiment. Bitcoin rose 0.76% to $65,170, while Ether gained 1.29% to $1,895.37. Among major altcoins, Uniswap led the gains with a 2.75% jump, followed by XRP (+1.64%), Solana (+1.61%) and Avalanche (+1.45%) however, Polygon (-0.18%) and Litecoin (-0.23%) edged lower.

Cryptocurrency Price Change
Bitcoin 65,170 +0.76%
Ether 1,895.37 +1.29%
Binance Coin 572.40 +0.24%
Cardano 0.16834 +1.34%
Solana 77.6238 +1.61%
XRP 1.11416 +1.64%
Polkadot 0.82 +0.29%
Avalanche 6.56 +1.45%
Polygon 0.08 -0.18%
Cosmos 1.49 +1.14%

🟢 Market Open (Opening Bell)

Index Opening Trend Market View
Dow Jones Lower Pressure from industrial and financial stocks
S&P 500 Slightly Higher Supported by technology shares
Nasdaq 100 Higher AI and semiconductor stocks led gains
Russell 2000 Lower Small-cap stocks underperformed
VIX Slightly Lower Market volatility remained contained

Nasdaq Today: Top Gainers

Company Change %
JD.com (JD) +3.31%
Intel (INTC) +2.56%
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) +2.40%
NetEase (NTES) +2.38%
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) +2.21%

Nasdaq Today: Top Losers

Company Change %
Tesla (TSLA) -2.67%
Lam Research (LRCX) -2.13%
Netflix (NFLX) -2.13%
PepsiCo (PEP) -1.64%
Apple (AAPL) -1.62%

What Investors Should Watch Next in the US Stock Market

  • Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook and comments from policymakers.
  • Upcoming corporate earnings, especially from major technology companies.
  • Inflation, GDP and employment data for clues on the US economy.
  • Geopolitical developments in the Middle East and their impact on oil prices.
  • Treasury yield movements and their effect on equity valuations.
  • AI infrastructure spending and semiconductor sector performance.
  • Crude oil and natural gas price trends amid supply concerns.

FAQ’s: Nasdaq Today

Why is the US stock market mixed today?

Geopolitical tensions, rising Treasury yields and higher oil prices pressured the Dow, while AI-driven technology stocks supported the Nasdaq and S&P 500.

Why is the Nasdaq outperforming?

Strong gains in semiconductor and AI-related stocks such as Intel and AMD lifted the technology-heavy index.

Why are oil prices rising?

Supply concerns in the Middle East and hopes for renewed US-Iran talks pushed Brent crude above $89 per barrel.

Why did natural gas prices fall?

Higher US production and weaker LNG export demand weighed on prices despite warmer weather forecasts.

What should investors monitor next?

Investors should focus on Fed policy, earnings reports, inflation data, Treasury yields and geopolitical developments that could influence market sentiment.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The Sunday Guardian suggests that readers consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment or money-related decisions. The stock market involves significant risk.

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