Stocks Gain as Investors Monitor China Trade News, Earnings Results; Oil Futures Surge

U.S. equities rebounded Thursday, led by strength in technology stocks as investors digested a busy slate of corporate earnings and shifting U.S.-China trade headlines. The Nasdaq outperformed with nearly a 1% gain, while the S&P 500 and Dow posted more modest advances. Sentiment improved after the White House confirmed President Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, easing fears of escalating export restrictions. Treasury yields climbed as markets looked ahead to Friday’s key inflation data, while energy and gold prices surged on renewed geopolitical tensions

Key Headlines & Market Movers

• Tech-Led Recovery After Earnings: Major indexes bounced back from Wednesday’s losses as upbeat corporate earnings, particularly in the technology sector, reignited investor optimism. Nvidia, Broadcom, Amazon, and Oracle led gains, helping the Nasdaq outperform. Honeywell and American Airlines also lifted the Dow after posting better-than-expected results and improving their outlooks. Market breadth improved, with over 80% of S&P 500 companies reporting results above expectations so far this season.
• Trade and Policy Developments with China: Stocks regained footing following Wednesday’s dip on reports of potential new export curbs to China. A White House confirmation that President Trump and President Xi will meet in South Korea next Thursday calmed investors and boosted risk appetite. The development comes as markets remain sensitive to U.S. trade policy, particularly around tech and software exports.
• Commodity Market Moves and Treasury Yields: Oil prices jumped more than 5% after new U.S. sanctions on Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft, pushing WTI crude above $61 per barrel. Gold rebounded sharply from its prior session’s steep drop, reflecting continued demand for hedges amid geopolitical uncertainty. Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.01% ahead of Friday’s CPI release, signaling expectations for persistent inflation pressure and potential Fed caution before its late-October meeting.
• Intel Surges on Strong Results and Strategic Investments: Intel shares rallied roughly 5% in after-hours trading after posting stronger-than-expected earnings and improved margins. CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s cost-cutting strategy and major new investments from Nvidia, SoftBank, and the U.S. government have bolstered confidence in Intel’s turnaround. The firm’s return to profitability and tighter supply conditions suggest improving fundamentals as it seeks to regain competitiveness in AI and data center markets.

S&P 500 Sector Performance

Looking Ahead

Markets now turn to Friday’s CPI report for clarity on inflation trends and potential implications for the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision. A softer reading could reinforce expectations for another quarter-point rate cut, while an upside surprise may temper recent optimism. Corporate earnings will remain in focus, particularly from large-cap tech names, as investors gauge the sustainability of the current bull market momentum.