Dow, S&P 500 close at record on AI-linked earnings, Mideast deal hopes

Dow, S&P 500 close at record on AI-linked earnings, Mideast deal hopes

By Chuck Mikolajczak and Johann M Cherian

Tue August 4, 2026  

Optimism over earnings and an end to the war shot all the indexes straight up again for the fourth straight day, today even more impressively than before with high 3-digit gains all around. The Dow reached a new record for the second straight day, the S&P its first new record since July 2^nd. Caterpillar provided the biggest boost to the Dow with increasing demand for its equipment in building AI centers. Palantir got an astonishing 29.5% boost and the chip index rose 6.6%. Crude dropped 5% on Qatari confirmations that peace talks were continuing.  

Wall Street rallies, Dow closes at record on Iran talks optimism

Wall Street rallies, Dow closes at record on Iran talks optimism

By Chuck Mikolajczak and Johann M Cherian

Mon August 3, 2026  

Optimism is back up front with all three indexes jumping straight up out the gate and staying up all day, all achieving very substantial 3-digit gains again, the Dow not only now handsomely recouping all its losses but reaching another record high. The good news is new hopes over Iran as fighting de-escalates and bringing crude prices down 5%.  With 304 of 500 S&P companies now reporting and 85.2% beating estimates, Q2 earnings growth now stands at 29.3%, but oddly down from Friday’s 48%.  

Wall Street ends higher as Amazon soothes AI jitters

Wall Street ends higher as Amazon soothes AI jitters

By Noel Randewich

Fri July 31, 2026  

Yesterday’s highly positive Microsoft report was the first big sign in a while that AI was paying off and investors were hoping that success would bleed through to other tech companies. Today Amazon came through with flying colors providing still another shining case that AI was indeed paying off. In fact, the company the market had been viewing as being “irresponsible” with its AI spending put everyone much more at ease about them and more at ease about AI in general. So for the second straight day, the indexes shot straight up with tech more than making up for the big selloff on Wednesday.  

Wall Street ends sharply higher, lifted by soaring Microsoft

Wall Street ends sharply higher, lifted by soaring Microsoft

By Noel Randewich

Thu July 30, 2026  

Microsoft made history today when due to its exuberant Q2 report, it enjoyed the biggest single day valuation growth in Wall Street history. Its report not only eased fears of the enormous AI spending but boosted the company’s value an extra $450 billion. But Apple, which has been more cost conscious on AI, today overtook Nvidia to once again become the world’s most valuable company with a market cap of almost $5 trillion. Most AI companies are considered “battleground stocks” and investors would like to see them move to “trusted AI winners” and hoping that’s what will now happen to Microsoft and that others will soon follow suit. Amazon and Apple will be reporting tomorrow.  

Wall Street closes down sharply after Fed holds rates unchanged

Wall Street closes down sharply after Fed holds rates unchanged

By Noel Randewich

Wed July 29, 2026  

It was another Wall Street mystery today as right at 3 pm, all three indexes plummeted drastically to major 3-digit losses in tech and a bigger 4-digit loss on the Dow. Up until 3 pm, the indexes had spent the day rather badly in the red but nothing compared to what happened in that final hour. It must have been 3 pm when the Fed announced that it was holding rates steady for now. I guess the fly in the ointment was the dissent of three Fed officials who had voted for a hike. The sizable minority put investors on high alert that the Fed will likely have no choice but to hike in September as the war rages and inflation continues to spike well above the desired target. 

S&P 500 ends higher as investors await tech earnings

S&P 500 ends higher as investors await tech earnings

By Noel Randewich

Tue July 28, 2026 

The trend continues with investors fleeing tech and moving into safer industrials as everyone’s on the fence over the mega tech companies – Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon among other reporting later this week – to find out whether their valuations confirm fears that the overspending on AI is legit or not. Both tech indexes ended in a wash while the Dow gained an impressive 537 points. White House meetings with Netanyahu and Zelensky have added hopes of an easing of tensions.  

Wall Street ends mixed as investors focus on tech earnings

Wall Street ends mixed as investors focus on tech earnings

By Sinéad Carew and Noel Randewich

Mon July 27, 2026  

Both the S&P and Nasdaq closed near flat as the rotation from tech to industrials continued seeing the Dow add a respectable 262 points. Talk of resumed peace negotiations were the plus side to the day’s dynamics but continuing attacks created the downside. But really, it’s just a bunch of fence-sitting as investors await a slew of major Q2 reports later this week, not to mention the Fed report on Wednesday as well as PCE coming Thursday.