Stock Market Today: Stocks Rise as Big Tech Earnings Loom and Trade Tensions Grow Ahead of Tariff Deadline

US stocks surged on Monday, with records in reach for the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500. The tech-heavy Nasdaq rose by around 0.7%, continuing its upward trend following a strong rally in growth stocks last week. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained 0.5%, or approximately 250 points. Investor focus is on two key themes this week: earnings from major tech companies, including Alphabet and Tesla, and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding President Trump's looming tariffs.

This week is the beginning of a busy earnings season, with Big Tech's results at center stage. Markets are focused on how earnings might validate the stretched valuations of tech stocks, as well as the potential impact of trade policy, particularly with respect to tariffs. Tariff concerns remain a key risk factor, with the EU reportedly preparing for retaliatory measures if trade talks with the US fail before the August 1st deadline.

Market Movers:

• Block (XYZ): +7.95%: Block saw a significant 7.95% increase following the announcement that the fintech company will be joining the S&P 500 index on July 23. Block, previously known as Square, has expanded its offerings beyond payments into areas like consumer loans via CashApp, adding to investor optimism.
• Opendoor Technologies (OPEN): +108.22%: Opendoor skyrocketed by over 108% in midday trading. The iBuyer platform has gained considerable attention from retail investors, with the stock seeing a staggering 188% increase last week alone. Despite being far from its February 2021 highs, Opendoor’s recent surge reflects optimism around its future growth prospects.
• Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT): +4.67%: Shares rose by nearly 5% after the company disclosed it had acquired $2 billion worth of bitcoin and related securities, representing a significant move towards becoming a bitcoin treasury company. The company's exposure to bitcoin now comprises two-thirds of its total assets, a strategic shift that has drawn investor interest.
• Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF): +12.92%: Cleveland-Cliffs saw a nearly 13% rise after reporting second-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street's expectations. The steel producer has benefited from President Trump’s tariffs, with CEO Lourenco Goncalves highlighting the positive impact on domestic manufacturing. Cleveland-Cliffs is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, particularly in the automotive sector.
• Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT): -3.91%: Sarepta dipped almost 4% following a rough end to the previous week, marked by a patient death during a clinical trial and regulatory concerns over one of its therapies. The stock's downward movement underscores the risks in the biotech sector as the company faces heightened scrutiny from the FDA.

Big Tech Earnings Take Center Stage

The spotlight is on earnings from major tech companies this week, especially the "Magnificent Seven," with Alphabet (GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA) set to release their second-quarter results on Wednesday. Positive results from these giants could validate the high valuations in the tech sector, with some analysts predicting strong growth from Alphabet’s Gemini and continued growth in advertising spend. The performance of these companies is especially significant as investors look for reassurance in the face of ongoing trade uncertainty and the broader market's focus on artificial intelligence.

Trade Tariffs: US-EU Tensions Grow

The deadline for President Trump's tariffs continues to weigh on market sentiment. The EU is reportedly preparing to retaliate if an agreement is not reached by August 1. While some optimism remains for a last-minute deal, Trump's hardline stance and EU opposition to concessions have diminished hopes of a resolution. This uncertainty has left investors cautious, particularly those in sectors directly impacted by tariffs, such as manufacturing and automotive.

Data Center Boom Fueling Big Tech

Big Tech's ambitions to dominate the AI landscape are fueling a surge in demand for data centers. Companies like Oracle and Google are ramping up their leasing activity, signing deals to secure critical infrastructure for AI workloads. According to analysts, this surge is contributing to record demand for data center space in the US. While these investments support long-term growth, they also raise concerns about environmental sustainability and local opposition due to the significant resources required for data center operations.

Looking Ahead

As earnings season picks up, investor attention will continue to focus on the results from Big Tech, especially Alphabet and Tesla, which could set the tone for the broader market. With trade tensions still unresolved and concerns over the impact of tariffs, the market’s short-term direction remains uncertain. However, the tech sector remains resilient, and strong earnings reports could help support the ongoing rally. As the week progresses, all eyes will be on the continued developments in both the earnings reports and trade talks, which will likely influence market sentiment for the remainder of the year.