Market Open: Stocks Mixed, Oil Eases, Intel Posts Strong Results • 7/24/26

Market Dynamics and Macroeconomics - Major stock averages attempted to recover from selloffs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 53 points and Salesforce shares leading higher by 3% [1] - The S&P 500 index increased by 7 points and the Nasdaq index rose by 4 points [2] - Oil prices experienced significant volatility, surging 10% within a single week and climbing by $20 per barrel over 3 weeks due to Iran re-escalation risks [3] - US crude oil was priced at $89 per barrel, while Brent crude pulled back to below $100 per barrel [4] - The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $4.10, and the average rate on a 30-year home loan approached 7% at 6.85% [4] Industry and Corporate Performance - Intel reported strong quarterly results and positive current quarter guidance driven by the artificial intelligence boom, while hiking its full-year capital expenditure forecast to $20 billion [1][2][3] - Advanced Micro Devices shares rose by half a percent (0.5%), contrasting with mostly red chipmaker shares [2] - American Express reported mixed quarterly results with better-than-expected earnings but a revenue miss, leaving shares down about 11% year-to-date while the platinum card became its fastest-growing US consumer product despite a $900 annual fee [6][7] Regulatory and Policy Updates - The White House announced new global tariffs imposing duties of 10% to 12.5% on 60 economies over forced labor practices, replacing previously expiring 10% global tariffs [5]