U.S. Stock Market Today: Wall Street pushed deeper into record territory on Thursday as easing Middle East tensions triggered a sharp decline in oil prices and renewed investor confidence. The S&P 500 rose 0.17% to 7,377.72, while the Nasdaq gained 0.53% to 25,976.76 amid strong buying in AI and technology shares. Meanwhile, Brent crude slipped 3.61% to $97.61 per barrel after reports suggested the US and Iran were nearing fresh diplomatic talks, reducing fears of prolonged supply disruptions and inflationary pressure globally.
U.S. Market Snapshot
| Index | Latest Level | Change | Change % |
| Dow Jones | 49,883.54 | -27.05 | -0.05% |
| Nasdaq Composite | 25,976.76 | +137.82 | +0.53% |
| S&P 500 | 7,377.72 | +12.60 | +0.17% |
| NYSE Composite | Mixed | Slightly Positive | — |
Dow Jones
The Dow Jones Industrial Average struggled to maintain momentum despite broader market optimism. Energy and industrial shares weighed on the blue-chip index as oil prices tumbled sharply while Chevron fell 2.44%, while Caterpillar slipped 2.38%, reflecting investor concerns about slowing commodity demand. The selective strength remained visible as Microsoft surged nearly 3% after renewed AI optimism swept through the technology sector. Boeing, IBM and Disney also posted healthy gains as investors rotated into companies expected to benefit from lower fuel costs and resilient consumer spending.
Nasdaq
The Nasdaq Composite once again led the market higher, rising more than 0.5% and setting another record high while artificial intelligence enthusiasm continued to dominate sentiment across the technology sector. Qualcomm jumped 7.45%, Intuit climbed 5.29%, while Adobe gained 3.63%. Investors aggressively bought growth oriented stocks after Japan’s SoftBank rallied 18% overnight, reigniting confidence in global AI investments. Apple also grabbed attention after touching a fresh all-time intraday high of $290.33, surpassing its previous record from December 2025 and the company has now gained nearly 48% over the past year, significantly outperforming the broader market.
S&P 500
The S&P 500 rose 0.17% to another historic milestone as investors welcomed lower oil prices and strong corporate earnings with more than 85% of S&P 500 companies reporting quarterly earnings so far have beaten Wall Street expectations. Technology, communication services and cybersecurity stocks remained among the strongest performers. Fortinet soared 22% after raising its annual billing guidance, while DoorDash moved higher after issuing stronger-than-expected order forecasts.
NYSE
Trading on the New York Stock Exchange reflected a divided market environment while defensive sectors such as healthcare and utilities underperformed, while growth-oriented technology counters continued to attract institutional inflows. Financial shares remained under pressure amid uncertainty surrounding interest rates and bond yields as JPMorgan Chase slipped 1.14%, while Johnson & Johnson and Merck also traded lower.
What is happening in the US stock market today after Trump’s Iran speech?
Markets reacted positively after remarks linked to US President Donald Trump’s position on Iran suggested diplomatic negotiations may soon resume and investors interpreted the developments as a sign that a broader Middle East conflict could be avoided. Reports indicate US and Iranian officials are discussing a 14-point memorandum aimed at ending hostilities and restarting nuclear negotiations. The possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz immediately reduced fears of a global oil supply shock.
US Market Edge Higher as AI Optimism
Artificial intelligence remains the strongest force driving Wall Street higher in 2026 and investors continue pouring money into semiconductor firms, cloud computing companies, cybersecurity providers and enterprise software firms. Microsoft gained 2.84%, Qualcomm surged 7.45% and ServiceNow jumped more than 7%. Analysts believe AI spending is entering a multi-year expansion cycle that could significantly reshape productivity and corporate profitability as the Nasdaq’s continued outperformance reflects how deeply AI optimism is influencing market direction.
Trump’s Drugmaker Deals May Save Economy $529B Over 10 years, White House Says
The White House stated that proposed pharmaceutical pricing reforms and negotiations involving major drugmakers could reduce healthcare costs by nearly $529 billion over the next decade. Officials argue the measures could ease inflationary pressures on households while lowering government healthcare expenditure and investors are closely monitoring the pharmaceutical sector as pricing reforms may reshape long-term profitability for major healthcare firms.
U.S. Dollar & Treasury Yields Rise as Safe-Haven Demand Increases
| Asset | Latest Reading |
| US 10-Year Treasury Yield | 4.357% |
| WSJ Dollar Index | 94.66 |
| Dollar Change | -0.14% |
The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.357%, while investors continued monitoring global geopolitical developments although the dollar initially weakened as war fears eased, bond market volatility remained elevated due to uncertainty around inflation and Federal Reserve policy. Treasury markets are now balancing two competing themes slowing oil prices and persistent economic resilience.
Oil Drops Below $110 as US-Iran Tensions & Hormuz Blockade Fears Rattle Markets
Oil prices witnessed one of their steepest declines in weeks after fears surrounding the Strait of Hormuz began fading as brent crude dropped 3.61% to $97.61 per barrel, while U.S. crude slipped 3.72% to $91.54. Traders rapidly unwound bullish positions after reports suggested diplomatic talks may resume next week. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making any disruption a major global risk.
How Did Oil Prices Crash & Boost the US Stock Market Today?
- Falling oil eased inflation fears
- Lower fuel costs improved profit outlooks
- Investors shifted toward growth stocks
- Bond yields stabilized
- Consumer sentiment expectations improved
Gold & Silver Prices
| Commodity | Price | Change | Change % |
| Gold | 4,752.59 | +63.54 | +1.36% |
| Silver | 81.416 | +4.086 | +5.28% |
Gold prices remained elevated despite easing geopolitical fears and investors continued using precious metals as a hedge against economic uncertainty and potential volatility in currency markets. Silver outperformed gold with a gain of more than 5%, reflecting strong industrial demand expectations tied to technology and clean-energy sectors.
Bitcoin & Crypto Stocks Shoot Higher
Cryptocurrency markets experienced another volatile session as bitcoin traded near $79,800 after fluctuating between a high of $81,705 and a low of $79,786 during the day. Crypto-related stocks also gained momentum as risk appetite improved across financial markets. Traders believe easing geopolitical risks could encourage greater investment into speculative assets.
| Bitcoin Stats | Value |
| Current Price | $79,800 |
| Day High | $81,705 |
| Day Low | $79,786 |
| Daily Change | -1.96% |
Copper Climbs on Optimism Over Possible US-Iran Peace Deal
Copper prices strengthened amid hopes that a diplomatic breakthrough could stabilize global trade and industrial demand. Industrial metals typically respond positively to improving economic sentiment and traders expect manufacturing activity to remain strong if oil prices continue cooling.
What Investors Should Watch Next in the US Stock Market
- Upcoming U.S.-Iran diplomatic negotiations
- Federal Reserve commentary on inflation and rates
- Earnings from Airbnb and Coinbase
- Movement in oil prices below the $90 range
- AI sector valuations and semiconductor demand
- Treasury yield fluctuations
- Consumer spending and retail sales data
- Further developments in Middle East shipping routes
Top Gainers Today
Dow Jones
- Microsoft up 2.84%
- Boeing up 2.58%
- Salesforce up 2.51%
- IBM up 2.29%
- Disney up 2.01%
Nasdaq
- Qualcomm up 7.45%
- Intuit up 5.29%
- Charter Communications up 3.84%
- Adobe up 3.63%
- ADP up 3.13%
S&P 500
- Qualcomm up 7.45%
- ServiceNow up 7.15%
- Becton Dickinson up 5.72%
- Intuit up 5.29%
- Charter Communications up 3.84%
Top Losers Today
Dow Jones
- Chevron down 2.44%
- Caterpillar down 2.38%
- Merck down 1.63%
- Johnson & Johnson down 1.40%
- JPMorgan Chase down 1.14%
Nasdaq
- Applied Materials down 2.88%
- Lam Research down 2.83%
- AMD down 2.29%
- Texas Instruments down 2.07%
- Starbucks down 1.82%
S&P 500
- Zoetis down 22.45%
- EOG Resources down 3.60%
- Schlumberger down 3.43%
- ConocoPhillips down 3.31%
- Target down 3.20%
FAQ’s
1. Why did the S&P 500 hit a new record?
The index climbed because falling oil prices and strong earnings improved investor confidence in economic growth.
2. Why are oil prices falling sharply?
Oil dropped after reports suggested the US and Iran may restart talks and avoid further conflict.
3. Which sector is leading the market rally?
Technology and AI-related stocks are leading gains across the Nasdaq and S&P 500.
4. Why are investors watching the Strait of Hormuz?
The route handles a significant portion of global oil exports, making it critical for energy markets.
5. How are gold and Bitcoin reacting?
Gold stayed strong as a hedge against uncertainty, while Bitcoin remained volatile amid improving risk appetite.
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.
