Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq gain in wait for key data, Big Tech earnings

US stocks climbed on Monday as Middle East war fears cooled, ahead of a pivotal week packed with Big Tech earnings, an inflation update, and a crucial monthly jobs report.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) jumped roughly 0.7%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) also moved up about 0.5%.

The market was bolstered by relief that Israel limited its retaliatory strikes on Iran to military targets, and not oil or nuclear facilities as feared. Oil futures tumbled nearly 6%, taking Brent (BZ=F) down to almost $71 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) to near $67.

The focus is on tech stocks with five of the “Magnificent Seven” megacaps due to release earnings this week, after the Nasdaq Composite bucked Friday’s losing trend to close near a record.

Investors are looking to Alphabet (GOOGL,GOOG), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta (META) results to help boost the S&P 500 to new heights, too. But questions remain as to whether Big Tech’s investments in AI are paying off in profits. Some on Wall Street are anticipating the slowest growth in earnings for tech megacaps in six quarters.

The reports are the highlight in a very busy week of results, with 169 of the S&P 500’s members expected to release updates. Philips (PHG) shares sank 16% after the medical device maker cut its full-year sales outlook, citing a strong decline in Chinese demand. Ford (F) is on Monday’s docket after the bell.

At the same time, investors are bracing for a rush of economic data that could put bets on a “soft landing” to the test. In the forefront are the latest reading on the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge and the October jobs report — both seen as crucial to policymakers’ decision on whether to cut interest rates at their November meeting.

Read more: What the Fed rate cut means for bank accounts, CDs, loans, and credit cards

Elsewhere, stocks in Japan rallied after the country’s ruling party failed to hold onto its majority in elections on Sunday — underscoring political risks to markets with the US presidential vote just days away.

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Spotify stock climbs after Wells Fargo names it a top pick

Spotify (SPOT) shares rose nearly 1% in morning trading after Wells Fargo (WFC) named the stock a top pick, maintaining its Overweight rating and raising its price target from $420 to $470.

Spotify has soared over 120% as the company has made good on its turnaround plan. After weak performance in late 2022, Spotify has announced layoffs, enacted price hikes, changed its royalty model, and picked up big podcast deals. The music streaming giant reported a record profit in its most recent quarterly earnings report this summer.

Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall said in his note to investors Monday that Spotify “continues to demonstrate success on long-term margin expansion.”

Spotify reports third quarter earnings on Nov. 12, and analysts expect adjusted earnings per share to rise over 400% to $1.82 and revenue to jump 19% to $4.4 billion, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates. Wall Street analysts covering the stock, on average, see shares rising to $410 over the next 12 months, according to Bloomberg data.

Stocks gain with Big Tech earnings week ahead

Stocks opened higher on Monday to start a pivotal week packed with Big Tech earnings, an inflation update, and a crucial monthly jobs report.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) jumped roughly 0.7%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) also moved up about 0.5%.

Oil slid nearly 6% after Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Iran spared the country’s crude infrastructure. Brent (BZ=F) hovered near $71 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) traded near $67 in early trading.

Investors await earnings from Alphabet (GOOGL,GOOG), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta (META) this week.

The monthly inflation print and jobs report for September are also due out this week.

Boeing offers nearly $19 billion share sale to shore up balance sheet, avoid downgrade

Boeing (BA) shares ticked slightly lower in premarket after the plane maker launched an almost $19 billion share sale in a move to shore up its liquidity and avoid a credit downgrade.

The company plans to sell about 90 million common shares and about $5 billion of depositary shares. Wall Street analysts had widely expected a large offering after a difficult year for the plane maker.

S&P Global recently placed Boeing on CreditWatch Negative, which increased the likelihood of a downgrade if the machinist union strike at the company continues until the end of the year.

Last week, a majority of workers rejected the latest labor contract proposal from Boeing. Earlier this month, the jet manufacturer said it would cut about 17,000 jobs, or 10% of its workforce.

As of Sept. 30, Boeing had $56.9 billion of outstanding senior unsecured indebtedness, according to a company filing.

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Oil tanks 5% as Israeli strike against Iran spares crude infrascructure

Oil plummeted more than 5% after expected Israeli retaliatory strikes against Iran over the weekend spared the country’s petroleum infrastructure.

West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) tumbled to hover below $68 while Brent (BZ=F), the international benchmark, slid to trade below $72 a barrel.

Tel Aviv’s attack against Iranian military facilities early Saturday were in response to Tehran’s missile strikes on October 1.

Oil was volatile in the weeks preceding the retaliation with Brent touching $80 per barrel as traders speculated whether Israel would strike against Iran’s oil infrastructure. The White House advised against targeting the country’s oil or nuclear facilities.

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