Stock Market Opens Strong Ahead of Big Tech Earnings and Fed Decision

Jan 29, 2026, 2:21 AM

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US stocks climbed on Monday as investors positioned themselves for a significant week marked by important earnings reports from leading technology firms and a Federal Reserve interest rate decision. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) increased by 0.6%, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose by 0.5%. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) also saw a gain of 0.4%, following a period of back-to-back weekly losses for all three indexes.

Market sentiment appeared cautiously optimistic, bolstered by political developments. President Trump announced he would send "border czar" Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee ICE operations following a protester's fatal shooting. This announcement seemed to alleviate some concerns among investors regarding potential political fallout that could complicate efforts to prevent a federal shutdown, which in turn stoked demand for haven assets.

The precious metals market also saw significant activity, with gold prices topping $5,000 an ounce for the first time on Sunday and continuing to rise on Monday. Analysts suggest that a weak dollar is fueling this rally in gold, as well as in silver, which has also seen impressive gains recently.

Looking ahead, the focus is on a flood of earnings reports from major tech companies, particularly the "Magnificent Seven," which includes Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), and Tesla (TSLA). These companies are expected to release their quarterly results on Wednesday, with Apple's (AAPL) update following the next day. Investors are keenly interested in insights regarding AI spending plans, especially after Intel's (INTC) cautious outlook last week, which underscored challenges faced in the AI sector.

Simultaneously, the Federal Reserve's policy decision is anticipated at the end of its two-day meeting on Wednesday, where experts expect the central bank to maintain current interest rates. However, Wall Street is closely monitoring indications of how long the Fed may hold off on future rate cuts, particularly amid policy divisions and growing tensions with the White House. Trump has hinted he may announce his preferred replacement for Fed Chair Jerome Powell this week, with BlackRock's Rick Rieder reportedly a leading candidate.

In addition to the broader market movements, specific stocks are making headlines. Carrier Global (CARR) experienced a steep decline, dropping nearly 11% despite stronger-than-expected second-quarter profits, as the company cut its full-year growth outlook due to market challenges. Meanwhile, shares of Corning (GLW) surged nearly 12% after it reported better-than-expected sales and profits, bolstered by rising demand for its glass used in tech products and AI data centers.

Overall, this week is poised to be pivotal for financial markets, with investors eagerly awaiting to see how the earnings from tech giants will influence market trends, as well as how the Fed's decision will affect the economic landscape in the coming months. The interplay between earnings results, monetary policy, and external political factors will likely set the tone for market activity in the near term.

The results from the upcoming earnings will also provide critical insights into consumer spending behaviors and corporate health, particularly in the tech sector, which has been a focal point for investors in recent years. As earnings season unfolds, analysts will be dissecting the results not just for immediate financial performance, but also for broader implications regarding the economic recovery and potential shifts in market strategies moving forward.

In conclusion, the stock market's positive start to the week reflects a complex interplay of optimism around tech earnings and caution surrounding economic policy, setting the stage for a week of significant financial developments.

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