U.S. stocks close slightly higher as ınvestors await earnings and economic data

On Monday, Wall Street stocks closed with modest gains as investors largely shrugged off U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, focusing instead on an eventful week ahead with key economic reports and the start of earnings season.

Trump escalated trade tensions over the weekend by announcing plans to impose a 30% tariff on most imports from the European Union and Mexico starting 1 August, setting a deadline for last-minute trade deals. The EU has extended its pause on retaliatory measures until early August, hoping for a negotiated settlement, while talks between the US, EU, Canada, and Mexico continue.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.20% to 44,459, the S&P 500 gained 0.14% to 6,268, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.27% to 20,640. Trading volume was below the 20-day average.

Despite ongoing tariff threats, markets have remained buoyant, with the Nasdaq hitting its seventh record high since late June.

Investment strategist Jason Pride noted that the economy’s growth outlook is improving as the effects of tariffs are largely offset by recent economic legislation.

This week will bring important updates on the U.S. economy, including second-quarter earnings reports starting Tuesday, and consumer price data expected to show inflation picking up in June.

Oil prices fell 2.2% following Trump’s threat of tariffs on Russian imports, dragging the energy sector down by 1.2%, the largest decline among S&P sectors.

Meanwhile, the communication services sector rose 0.7%, helped by gains in Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery ahead of their earnings releases.

Cryptocurrency-related stocks also advanced after Bitcoin surpassed $120,000 for the first time.

Laboratory equipment maker Waters Corp dropped 13.8% after announcing a $17.5 billion merger with Becton, Dickinson and Company’s Biosciences division, marking the largest loss of the day.

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