Stock Market Today Updates: U.S. stocks start cautiously as Dow hold steady, Nasdaq falls, bitcoin and metals slide, tech stumbles and investors rotate toward defensives ahead of key data.
Stock Market Today: Dow and S&P 500 hold steady while Nasdaq slips | Jan 31, 2026
Stock Market Today Updates: The U.S. stock market on January 31, 2026, was mixed as the Dow Jones was positive, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 were negative and the stock market was influenced by the decline in bitcoin and precious metals. The stock market was also influenced by the upcoming earnings week.
| Index | Level | Change | % Move |
| Dow Jones Futures | 48,920.52 | +28.05 | +0.06% |
| Nasdaq Composite | 23,459.91 | -225.21 | -0.95% |
| S&P 500 | 6,939.03 | -29.98 | -0.43% |
The Dow remained more or less flat, thanks to a defensive lineup. The healthcare and consumer staples sectors were supportive as risk sentiment eased and Futures inched higher by about 19 points, indicating selective buying. Investors appear to be focusing on strong balance sheets and dividend yields as volatility persists in other markets.
Tech shares led the decline as momentum slowed. Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.5% as mega-cap AI shares led the decline. Nvidia fell in pre-market trading after reports of reluctance regarding a huge OpenAI investment. This is a reminder of how sensitive stock prices are to any uncertainty regarding future outlays.
S&P 500 futures fell about 0.3% as losses in crypto and metals spilled over into equities. More than 100 companies are set to report earnings this week, including Amazon and Alphabet. Although aggregate earnings growth is on track to post its strongest growth in four years, sell-offs in the wake of earnings announcements in names such as Microsoft have kept sentiment weak.
Trading on the NYSE was more about rotation than panic. Miners and materials were weak as prices for bullion declined, but defensives were strong. Banks were relatively flat despite a sharper yield curve due to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chairman, a nomination that the market is still processing.
Bitcoin momentarily dipped below $80,000 for the first time since April, marking the beginning of a trimming of speculative positions. This came after a brutal sell-off in gold and silver prices late last week. While the cryptocurrency managed to recover above $78,000, it is clear that market sentiment can shift rapidly after a crowded trade.
However, shares of rare earth and critical minerals companies were counter-cyclical. This is because there were reports that the White House is set to inject $12 billion into a strategic stockpile in response to China. Critical Metals was up 8%, while Energy Fuels and Idaho Strategic Resources had strong gains.
Precious metals continued to roll along after the big drop on Friday. Gold dropped by more than 1% on Monday, following the almost 10% drop that saw prices go below $5,000 per ounce while silver had seen a sharp rise in the past year, continued to face pressure following the 30% drop, which was the worst since 1980.
| Stock | Price | Change | % |
| Verizon | 44.52 | +4.71 | 11.83 |
| Chevron | 176.57 | +5.38 | 3.14 |
| Coca-Cola | 74.86 | +1.43 | 1.95 |
| Merck & Co | 110.27 | +1.93 | 1.78 |
| Walmart | 119.14 | +1.73 | 1.47 |
| Stock | Price | Change | % |
| Intel | 46.40 | -2.26 | -4.64 |
| Visa | 321.87 | -9.93 | -2.99 |
| 3M | 153.38 | -3.00 | -1.92 |
| UnitedHealth | 287.09 | -5.20 | -1.78 |
| American Express | 352.23 | -6.27 | -1.75 |
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. While we strive for accuracy using current U.S. market data and earnings reports, readers should consult a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of this publication.
