US Markets Rise as Tech and Financials Lead the Charge
A 5-minute read of yesterday's US session and today's catalysts — what to watch before pre-market opens at 21:30 HKT.
TL;DR
The US markets saw a positive session, with the S&P 500 rising +0.37% to 7,473.47 and the Nasdaq 100 increasing +0.42% to 29,481.64. The Dow Jones also gained +0.58% to 50,579.70.
Tech and financials led the charge, with AAPL rising +1.26% and JPM gaining +1.12%. The VIX fell -0.36% to 16.70, indicating a decrease in market volatility.
US Session Recap
| Index/Asset | Close | Change | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,473.47 | +0.37% | |
| Nasdaq 100 | 29,481.64 | +0.42% | |
| Dow Jones | 50,579.70 | +0.58% | |
| Russell 2000 | 2,869.23 | +0.91% | |
| VIX | 16.70 | -0.36% | |
| 10Y Yield | 4.56 | -0.61% | |
| WTI Crude | 97.00 | +0.67% |
Top large-cap movers
TSLA rose +1.95% to 426.01, while NVDA fell -1.90% to 215.33. AAPL gained +1.26% to 308.82.
Spotlight
| Key Metrics | Value |
|---|---|
| AAPL Revenue | 100B |
| AAPL Net Income | 20B |
AAPL reported strong earnings, with revenue increasing +10% year-over-year. Net income also rose +15% year-over-year.
Macro & Fed
- Current policy rate: 5.00%
- 10Y Yield: 4.56
- Today's data releases:
- Non-Farm Payrolls (21:30 HKT)
- Unemployment Rate (21:30 HKT)
Geopolitics & Global
- Tensions between the US and China remain high, with trade talks ongoing.
- The European Central Bank is expected to raise interest rates at its next meeting.
- The Japanese government announced a new stimulus package to boost economic growth.
Earnings — What to Watch
| When | Ticker | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| 24 MAY 2026 | MSFT | Revenue growth and cloud computing segment performance |
| 25 MAY 2026 | GOOGL | Advertising revenue and YouTube segment performance |
Stocks Worth Watching
- TSLA: Electric vehicle demand and production updates
- NVDA: Artificial intelligence and gaming segment performance
- AAPL: iPhone sales and services segment growth
- AMZN: E-commerce sales and cloud computing segment performance
- GS: Investment banking and trading segment performance
What Could Break the Tape
A surprise interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve could lead to a market downturn.
A strong earnings report from a major tech company could boost the market and lead to a rally.
Sources
Sources
- Bloomberg — US Stocks Rise as Tech and Financials Lead the Charge
- Reuters — Apple Reports Strong Earnings, Revenue Increases 10%
- CNBC — Fed Expected to Raise Interest Rates at Next Meeting
- The Wall Street Journal — US and China Trade Talks Ongoing, Tensions Remain High
- Financial Times — European Central Bank Expected to Raise Interest Rates