US stocks closed sharply higher on Tuesday, led by a strong rebound in semiconductor shares as investors looked past geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and focused on the upcoming wave of Big Tech earnings reports.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 384.46 points, or 0.74%, to close at 52,223.72.
The S&P 500 gained 0.86% to 7,507.32, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.26% to 25,829.61.
The rally came after a volatile start to the week, with investors balancing continued conflict between the United States and Iran, higher oil prices and new tariff announcements against expectations for another strong corporate earnings season.
Information technology stocks led gains among the S&P 500’s 11 sectors, while consumer staples lagged.
Semiconductor stocks rebound ahead of earnings
Chipmakers powered the broader market higher after suffering steep losses in recent sessions.
The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) gained 4%, while Micron Technology surged 12%. Intel advanced 8%, Marvell Technology climbed more than 6%, and Astera Labs added 3%.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index extended its recovery for a second straight session after ending last week more than 20% below its late-June record high, confirming a bear market.
Despite the recent correction, the index remains up nearly 75% for the year.
The rebound comes ahead of earnings from several major technology companies, including Alphabet, IBM, Intel, Tesla and Texas Instruments, with investors looking for updates on artificial intelligence spending and demand for semiconductor products.
The second-quarter earnings season has also started on a strong note.
According to FactSet, nearly 88% of the roughly 66 S&P 500 companies that have reported results have exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations.
Corporate earnings also lifted several individual stocks. Shares of 3M gained more than 7% after the company reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter results and raised its full-year profit outlook.
General Motors climbed 5% after beating Wall Street estimates for both revenue and earnings.
Meanwhile, Hasbro advanced after raising its annual revenue and profit forecasts, while Danaher, MSCI and Genuine Parts declined after issuing weaker outlooks or reporting disappointing results.
Iran conflict and tariffs remain in the background
Markets largely looked through ongoing geopolitical developments despite continued military activity in the Middle East.
US Central Command carried out its 10th consecutive night of strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire “over.”
Iranian forces continued attacks on US military assets in the region, while Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis threatened a blockade on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Reports also indicated that mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Oil prices remained elevated throughout the session.
West Texas Intermediate crude rose about 2% to nearly $85 per barrel, while Brent crude traded around $91 after reaching five-week highs.
Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reportedly reversed course in the Red Sea following Houthi threats against commercial shipping.
Investors also assessed President Donald Trump’s announcement of 50% tariffs on a broad range of Canadian imports.
Despite concerns over trade and geopolitical risks, market attention remained centered on corporate earnings and the outlook for artificial intelligence investment as the technology sector prepares to report quarterly results.
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