US stocks hit new records as oil drops, earnings beat

Records return after oil pulls back

U.S. stocks climbed to fresh records on Tuesday as oil prices eased and a steady run of better-than-expected corporate earnings kept investors focused on fundamentals. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to break above its prior all-time high set at the end of last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 356 points, or 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite rallied 1% to set its own record. The move extended a market run that has remained resilient even as the war involving Iran continues to drive swings in energy prices.

Tuesday’s gains followed a sharper jump in oil on Monday, which had increased investor caution. As crude retreated, the market’s attention shifted back to quarterly results and guidance updates. The day’s trading also coincided with easing Treasury yields after oil’s drop and mixed U.S. economic data.

Key index moves at the close

The biggest U.S. benchmarks finished solidly higher, led by broad gains across sectors tied to earnings updates. The S&P 500 added 58.47 points to end at 7,259.22. The Dow gained 356.35 points to close at 49,298.25. The Nasdaq climbed 238.32 points to 25,326.13.

The session’s pattern was consistent with recent weeks: earnings surprises and company commentary have often carried more weight than macro headlines. But energy remains a key variable because higher crude prices can feed into inflation expectations and costs for businesses and households.

Oil prices retreat after a spike

Oil prices gave back much of Monday’s jump, helping improve risk sentiment. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 4% to $109.87 after briefly cresting $115 on Monday. Even after the decline, Brent remains far above its roughly $10 level from before the war with Iran.

The market reaction underlined how closely equity traders are tracking energy. Lower oil prices can ease pressure on input costs, shipping, and consumer spending, while also influencing bond yields and expectations for interest rates.

Earnings keep investors engaged despite risks

Even with the war ongoing, the market has been supported by strong reported profits for the first three months of 2026, despite higher oil prices since the end of February. Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, described it as a “why ask why” market, adding, “You just have to go with it.” He also pointed to investor focus on earnings and on spending tied to AI data centers and other investments.

The dynamic has been visible in day-to-day trading: stocks have often rallied when companies beat analyst expectations or raised outlooks, while geopolitical headlines have tended to create shorter bursts of volatility, particularly in oil.

DuPont jumps after upbeat quarter and guidance

DuPont led notable gainers, with its stock rising 8.4% after the chemical company reported better-than-expected profits for the latest quarter. The company said its water technologies business felt some impact from the war due to logistics disruptions in the Middle East. Despite that, DuPont raised its forecasts for financial results over the full year.

The combination of an earnings beat and improved guidance helped reinforce the broader market narrative that many companies are still managing costs and demand conditions better than expected.

Pinterest rallies on user growth and results

Pinterest rose 6.9% after topping Wall Street’s first-quarter sales and profit targets. The company said active monthly users increased 11% to 631 million. User growth is a closely watched metric for advertising-driven platforms because it can influence future revenue opportunities and engagement trends.

The move added to momentum in internet and growth stocks during the session, helping the Nasdaq outperform.

AB InBev gains as brand growth supports profit beat

AB InBev also topped analysts’ profit forecasts and cited growth for its Corona, Stella Artois and Michelob Ultra brands outside of their home markets, among other factors. CEO Michel Doukeris said, “Cheers to beer,” as the company’s U.S.-traded stock climbed 8.7%.

Other earnings-related gainers included American Electric Power Co., up 1.8%, and Cummins, up 2.8%, after both reported making more money in the first quarter than analysts expected.

Palantir drops even after stronger results

Not all earnings news translated into gains. Palantir Technologies fell 6.9% even though it reported stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The stock has struggled this year amid concerns about increased competition, an issue that has weighed on several software companies.

The company’s shares were also coming off a significant run, having more than doubled in each of the last three years, which can make investor reactions more sensitive to any perceived slowdown or competitive pressure.

Bonds and economic data: yields ease

In the U.S. bond market, Treasury yields eased following oil’s decline and economic reports that were described as mixed. Falling yields can support equity valuations by lowering the discount rate investors apply to future earnings, though the direction of yields remains closely tied to energy prices and incoming economic data.

With investors also monitoring central bank signals on interest rates, changes in yields can quickly reshape market leadership between growth and value-oriented stocks.

Global markets mixed as holidays close parts of Asia

Stock markets abroad were mixed. France’s CAC 40 rose 1.1% in Paris, while the UK’s FTSE 100 fell 1.4% in London. Many Asian markets were closed for holidays, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.8%.

For investors outside the United States, including in India, the combination of record U.S. equities, volatile crude, and shifting bond yields remains a key global cue because it can influence risk appetite, foreign flows, and sector leadership.

Key numbers at a glance

What investors are watching next

Tuesday’s record closes kept the spotlight on the balance between earnings strength and war-related uncertainty that continues to move oil. Investors are also tracking how much companies are spending on AI-related infrastructure, which has become a recurring theme in market commentary.

The next major catalyst remains the flow of corporate results and outlook statements, alongside any further sharp moves in crude. For markets globally, the key question is whether earnings momentum can continue to outweigh energy-driven volatility as new data and company updates arrive.