US stock market today: Wall Street climbed 0.3% – Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all rise as tech stocks drive rebound; gold and oil surge

U.S. stock market saw significant movements on Thursday, with major indices recording gains after a volatile trading week. Investors reacted strongly to a combination of rising oil prices, corporate earnings reports, and market speculation. These factors together created a day of selective rallies across different sectors.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 25 points (0.1%), and the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, adding 0.6% — powered by Nvidia (NVDA), Amazon (AMZN), and Broadcom (AVGO).

The rebound followed a volatile session on Wednesday when the S&P 500 fell 0.5%, the Dow lost 334 points (−0.7%), and the Nasdaq slipped 0.9% as traders exited riskier tech names.
A key driver of today’s market rise was the surge in crude oil prices. Oil jumped more than 5% to $61.50 per barrel, fueled by geopolitical concerns and potential supply disruptions. This rise directly benefited energy stocks, with companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron gaining over 3%. Investors flocked to the energy sector, seeing it as a safe harbor amid mixed tech results.

The ongoing earnings season added both excitement and caution to trading. Tesla shares fell nearly 4%, disappointing investors with weaker-than-expected quarterly results. Similarly, IBM reported numbers that led to a 4% drop in its stock. On the other hand, quantum computing companies like IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave experienced gains of 8–12%, signaling growing interest in government-backed initiatives.

Investors brushed off fresh geopolitical tensions after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the White House is considering restrictions on U.S. software exports to China.The move builds on President Donald Trump’s earlier vow to ban exports of “critical software” by November 1.Despite that, major tech stocks rallied, driving a recovery across the board.

So far, about 80% of S&P 500 companies reporting results have beaten Wall Street forecasts, according to FactSet.

“Individual misses are punished, but the overall earnings picture remains solid,” said Emily Bowersock Hill, CEO of Bowersock Capital Partners.

The S&P 500 has surged 14% year-to-date, largely thanks to a wave of AI-driven capital spending.

According to Wells Fargo’s Scott Wren, the index has “essentially become an AI index” due to its heavy exposure to large-cap tech firms.

“AI capex has pushed markets higher this year, and near-term direction depends on whether companies maintain that spending,” Wren said.

Amid this mixed environment, geopolitical tensions continued to influence investor decisions. Sanctions affecting oil production and supply chain uncertainties contributed to market volatility. Traders remain attentive to any developments that could impact energy, tech, and quantum computing sectors in the coming days.

Overall, today’s market activity reflected cautious optimism. Investors are balancing the positive momentum from rising oil and sector-specific gains against risks from disappointing earnings and global uncertainties. The trend suggests a market that is selective, strategic, and highly data-driven, with investors carefully weighing short-term opportunities against long-term risks.

What caused the stock market to rise today?

Stocks climbed as energy prices surged, creating optimism among investors. Oil prices jumped more than 5% to $61.50 per barrel.

• Energy stocks, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, gained more than 3%.
• ETFs tracking the energy sector also saw significant inflows.

Investors cited U.S. sanctions on Russian oil producers as a major reason for the surge. Tightened supply expectations triggered buying in the energy sector.

At the same time, major indices recorded steady gains:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: +107 points (+0.23%), closing at 46,608.09.
• S&P 500: +18.19 points (+0.27%), closing at 6,717.59.
• Nasdaq Composite: +115.11 points (+0.51%), closing at 22,855.51.

The market’s broad rise was supported by strong gains in energy, while other sectors showed mixed performance.

Earnings season played a big role in shaping market sentiment. Some big names disappointed, while others saw strong gains.

• Tesla: Shares fell nearly 4% after reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly revenue.
• IBM: Dropped about 4% post-earnings, signaling challenges in its enterprise business.
• Quantum computing companies: IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave surged 8–12%, driven by new federal funding opportunities.

Tech stocks faced mixed reactions. AI-focused and speculative companies saw volatility, with Nvidia and Palantir testing critical support levels.

Nvidia (NVDA), Amazon (AMZN), and Broadcom (AVGO):

• Nvidia (NVDA) is trading around $182.05, up about 1.11% for the day. It has a market cap of roughly $4.44 trillion and a 52-week high of $195.60 with a low near $92.12. The stock shows a bullish technical rating with neutral indicators and a 52.46 trailing P/E ratio.​
• Amazon (AMZN) is trading near $217.95, showing minor positive movement. It has a market cap of about $2.32 trillion, with its 52-week price range between $165.33 and $242.50. The technical stance is bullish on moving averages but bearish on moving averages crossovers, and its trailing P/E is about 33.63.​
• Broadcom (AVGO) is trading around $345.77, up 1.61% on the day. Its market cap stands near $1.6 trillion, with a 52-week range between $139.70 and $374.05. The technical rating is very bullish, with a trailing P/E close to 84. While today’s after-hours price is slightly lower at around $339.85, the overall trend remains positive.

Investors are paying close attention to earnings as a guide to broader market trends. Strong results from select sectors offset weak performances in others.

How did oil affect energy stocks and the market?

The jump in oil prices was the main driver of the market’s energy rally.

• Crude oil rose to $61.50 per barrel, the largest daily gain in weeks.
• Major energy companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron gained 3–4%.
• ETFs and mutual funds focused on energy saw strong inflows.

Investors worry that supply disruptions could continue to pressure global oil markets. Rising energy prices are also boosting investor confidence in energy-focused stocks.

Analysts note that oil-driven gains often act as a stabilizer for the market when tech or other sectors show weakness.

Home sales hit seven-month high

Existing home sales climbed to a 4.06 million annualized pace in September — the highest since February, according to the National Association of Realtors. That’s a 1.5% monthly rise and 4.1% higher than a year ago.

Average sale prices stood at $415,200, up 2.1% year-over-year, while inventory remained stable at 4.6 months’ supply, about 9.5% higher than last year.

“Falling mortgage rates are finally lifting sales,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

Gold rebounds as investors seek safety

Gold prices reversed earlier losses on Thursday. Spot gold rose 1.3% to $4,147.60/oz, while U.S. gold futures climbed 2.5% to $4,165.30/oz.

At 11:42 AM ET, spot gold traded at $4,141.19, up 1.16% on the day.

American Airlines soars on upbeat outlook

American Airlines (AAL) jumped 5.5% after reporting a smaller Q3 loss than expected and a strong year-end outlook. The airline now forecasts Q4 EPS between $0.45 and $0.75, beating expectations of $0.31. Full-year earnings are projected between $0.65 and $0.95 per share, compared to Wall Street’s $0.43 estimate.

Revenue rose 0.3% year-over-year to $13.69 billion, with a net loss of $114 million (−$0.17/share).

Quantum stocks rally

Quantum computing shares gained after reports that the Trump administration is considering equity investments in the sector.

Rigetti Computing (RGTI) rose 8%, IonQ (IONQ) climbed 9%, and Quantum Computing Inc. (QUBT) jumped 9%.

Las Vegas Sands (LVS) advanced 6% after strong quarterly earnings, while Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) gained 5% following upbeat travel sector results.

Top Gainers in US Stock Market Today

• IonQ (Quantum Computing): Surged 12% as investors reacted to potential federal funding and growing interest in quantum technology.
• Rigetti Computing: Jumped 10% on news of government-backed initiatives supporting quantum computing research.
• D-Wave Systems: Rose 8%, benefiting from renewed investor optimism in emerging tech and quantum solutions.
• ExxonMobil (Energy): Increased 3.5% following a 5% oil price surge, boosting energy sector sentiment.
• Chevron (Energy): Gained 3% as higher crude oil prices drove optimism for energy profits.
• Occidental Petroleum: Climbed 2.8% on strong oil market momentum and rising global energy demand expectations.
• ConocoPhillips: Advanced 2.5%, supported by the oil price spike and strong sector performance.

Top Losers in US Stock Market Today

• Tesla (TSLA): -3.8% following disappointing third-quarter earnings.
• IBM: -4% after reporting weaker-than-expected revenue results.
• GE Vernova: -2.5% as energy transition concerns affected investor sentiment.
• Vertiv Holdings: -2.2% amid profit-taking after recent gains.

Which sectors performed best and worst today?

Market movements were not uniform. Some sectors gained strongly, while others lagged behind.

Top performers:

• Energy sector: Driven by oil price surge.
• Quantum computing stocks: Benefited from federal funding discussions.

Lagging sectors:

• Technology: Tesla and IBM faced declines post-earnings.
• AI stocks: Nvidia, Palantir, and other speculative tech shares experienced volatility.

Investors are focusing on selective gains rather than a broad-based rally. Sector performance highlights which industries are resilient in the current market climate.

Wall Street’s tone remains cautiously optimistic. Tech momentum and AI optimism continue to drive sentiment, even as geopolitical and energy risks rise. So far in 2025, the S&P 500 is up 14%, the Nasdaq 17%, and the Dow 6%, marking one of the strongest bull phases since 2021.

What should investors watch for next?

Looking ahead, investors should keep an eye on both oil prices and upcoming earnings reports.

• Short-term: Energy sector may continue to perform well if oil prices remain elevated.
• Medium-term: Tech earnings will influence Nasdaq and S&P 500 momentum.
• Geopolitical risks: Ongoing sanctions and global supply issues could impact energy markets.

Market watchers recommend balancing portfolios, keeping a mix of stable sectors like energy, while cautiously investing in tech and speculative stocks.