Wall Street edges higher even as trade negotiations and tech earnings keep investors on edge

So far this season, around 36 percent of S&P 500 firms have reported quarterly numbers, with about 73 percent topping analyst expectations, according to FactSet.

U.S. stocks traded modestly higher on Tuesday, continuing their recent winning streak, even as uncertainty over global trade discussions kept investor optimism in check.

The S&P 500 added 0.3 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led the gains, rising by 261 points, or 0.7 percent.

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Markets opened on a cautious note after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking from the White House, offered little in the way of concrete updates on trade talks. While he emphasised progress with Japan and suggested that a deal framework with India might be near, Bessent stopped short of providing clarity on China, refusing to confirm whether negotiations with Beijing were ongoing.

General Motors also lost ground, down about 1 percent, even after posting stronger-than-expected earnings. The automaker said it was holding off on further buybacks and reassessing its outlook, citing continued uncertainty around trade tariffs. Earlier in the session, GM shares had rallied on reports that President Trump might soften his stance on imported components used in U.S. manufacturing. The carmaker joins a growing list of companies walking back guidance amid escalating trade tensions. American Airlines and Skechers last week withdrew their 2025 forecasts, citing the murky macroeconomic picture.

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Tuesday’s move followed a narrowly positive session on Monday, when the S&P 500 inched up by less than 0.1 percent, extending its run of gains to five days. The Dow climbed 0.3 percent, while the Nasdaq dipped 0.1 percent.

A flurry of results is expected this week, with nearly one-third of S&P 500 firms scheduled to report. Big Tech will be in the spotlight, with Meta and Microsoft on deck for Wednesday, followed by Apple and Amazon on Thursday.

So far this season, around 36 percent of S&P 500 firms have reported quarterly numbers, with about 73 percent topping analyst expectations, according to FactSet. That’s slightly below the five-year average of 77 percent.

On Monday, the S&P 500 inched higher by less than 0.1 percent, extending its winning streak to five sessions. The Dow rose 0.3 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.1 percent. The session saw sharp swings, with the Dow falling over 240 points at one point before recovering nearly 300 points by the close. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were down more than 1 percent during intraday lows, only to rebound in afternoon trade.