Wall Street opens flat as investors await big tech earnings this week

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. markets mostly idled on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 barely moving as investors kept a close watch on global trade developments and a packed corporate earnings schedule this week.

The benchmark index hovered near the flatline, mirroring the Nasdaq Composite, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 150 points, or 0.4 percent. The quiet session came amid renewed uncertainty on the trade front.

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Speaking from the White House, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered limited clarity on negotiations with major trading partners. While he pointed to meaningful discussions with Japan and signalled that an agreement with India may be within reach, he declined to provide any updates on talks with China—refusing even to confirm whether discussions were ongoing.

General Motors shares slipped 3 percent, reversing earlier gains despite posting better-than-expected quarterly results. The automaker said it was pausing some share repurchases and reassessing future guidance, citing lingering uncertainty around the impact of global tariffs. The stock had rallied earlier on speculation that the White House might ease restrictions on the use of foreign-made components in U.S. manufacturing.

GM joins a growing list of corporations tempering their outlooks amid choppy macro conditions. American Airlines and Skechers both recently pulled their 2025 forecasts, citing heightened economic uncertainty.

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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.

Markets are bracing for a packed earnings calendar, with roughly one-third of S&P 500 companies slated to report this week. The spotlight is firmly on Big Tech: Meta Platforms and Microsoft will announce their results on 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.