US Stocks Near Record Highs on Oil Price Drop and Iran Deal Optimism

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US stocks traded near record levels on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average touching an intraday all-time high as falling oil prices and optimism over a US-Iran peace deal lifted investor sentiment. The Dow rose 360.77 points, or 0.70 per cent, to 52,031.80 in morning trading, setting a fresh intraday record. The S&P 500 gained 7.49 points, or 0.10 per cent, to 7,561.78, while the Nasdaq Composite added 35.07 points, or 0.13 per cent, to 26,719.01. However, AP reported that markets later turned mixed, with the S&P 500 slipping 0.2 per cent and the Nasdaq falling 0.4 per cent, while the Dow remained higher by about 292 points.

Oil prices fall on US-Iran optimism

Investor confidence was supported by another decline in crude prices following a tentative agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy shipping routes. Brent crude fell 3.6 per cent to around $80.20 a barrel after briefly dropping below $80 for the first time since early March. The energy sector slipped 0.4 per cent as oil prices hit nearly a three-month low. While the agreement has boosted market sentiment, uncertainty remains over key issues, including Iran's nuclear programme and the timeline for restoring full shipping operations through the strait.

SpaceX extends rally, becomes fifth-most valuable US company

SpaceX remained in focus after its blockbuster stock market debut. Shares rose between 7 and 9.5 per cent on Tuesday, lifting the company's market value above Amazon and making it the fifth-most valuable US-listed company. SpaceX also announced plans to acquire software firm Anysphere for $60 billion as it seeks to expand its presence in the enterprise artificial intelligence market.

Banks, chip stocks gain

Financial stocks led gains on Wall Street, with the S&P financial index rising 1.1 per cent. Goldman Sachs gained 1.3 per cent, while JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America rose 1.8 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively. Memory-chip makers also advanced, with Western Digital jumping 9 per cent and Seagate Technology gaining 6 per cent. Qualcomm rose 3.6 per cent after a report said it was in talks to acquire AI chip startup Tenstorrent for between $8 billion and $10 billion.

Fed decision in focus

Investors are now awaiting the US Federal Reserve's policy decision on Wednesday, the first under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. As per Reuters, the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 3.50-3.75 per cent. Traders currently see a 42 per cent chance of a 25-basis-point rate hike in December, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. "All eyes are on Warsh's press conference, guidance and expectations for the market," Thomas Hayes, chairman at Great Hill Capital, told Reuters. Meanwhile, Treasury yields edged lower, with the 10-year Treasury yield easing to 4.45 per cent from 4.47 per cent late Monday. Market breadth remained positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by more than two-to-one on the New York Stock Exchange.