Dow Jones closes up 1% at 52,494.88 on earnings
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 52,494.88 on Tuesday, October 21, 2026, advancing 1% following strong third-quarter 2026 earnings results. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% to finish at 7,712.57, while the Nasdaq Composite ended at 26,424.82, declining 0.02%. Within the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 22 of the 30 components ended in positive territory and eight ended in negative territory. The S&P 500 saw eight of its 11 sectors finish in negative territory and three in positive territory. The Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) fell 2% and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (XLRE) dropped 1.2%, while the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 1.8% and the Information Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) gained 1.4%. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) decreased 6.1% to 17.31. Trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange was lower than the 20-session average, with advancers outnumbering decliners by a 2.04-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 2.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. Crude oil prices declined as investors monitored Middle East geopolitical conflicts, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures settling at $101.79 per barrel and Brent crude futures at $108.79 per barrel. Earnings reports from major corporations influenced stock movements, as 3M Co. posted third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.50 per share against a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.40, and Northrop Grumman Corp. reported adjusted earnings of $7.89 per share compared to an estimate of $7.22. Consequently, shares of 3M and Northrop Grumman surged 5.8% and 4.6%, respectively, with both stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Housing data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development showed housing starts at 1.221 million units in September, below the consensus estimate of 1.308 million units, while building permits reached 1.4 million units, beating the estimate of 1.397 million units. The National Association of REALTORS reported that pending home sales in September fell 7.3%, a decline significantly larger than the expected drop of 0.3%.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 52,494.88 on Tuesday, October 21, 2026, advancing 1% following strong third-quarter 2026 earnings results. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% to finish at 7,712.57, while the Nasdaq Composite ended at 26,424.82, declining 0.02%. Within the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 22 of the 30 components ended in positive territory and eight ended in negative territory. The S&P 500 saw eight of its 11 sectors finish in negative territory and three in positive territory. The Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) fell 2% and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR (XLRE) dropped 1.2%, while the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 1.8% and the Information Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) gained 1.4%. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) decreased 6.1% to 17.31. Trading volume on the New York Stock Exchange was lower than the 20-session average, with advancers outnumbering decliners by a 2.04-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 2.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. Crude oil prices declined as investors monitored Middle East geopolitical conflicts, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures settling at $101.79 per barrel and Brent crude futures at $108.79 per barrel. Earnings reports from major corporations influenced stock movements, as 3M Co. posted third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.50 per share against a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.40, and Northrop Grumman Corp. reported adjusted earnings of $7.89 per share compared to an estimate of $7.22. Consequently, shares of 3M and Northrop Grumman surged 5.8% and 4.6%, respectively, with both stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Housing data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development showed housing starts at 1.221 million units in September, below the consensus estimate of 1.308 million units, while building permits reached 1.4 million units, beating the estimate of 1.397 million units. The National Association of REALTORS reported that pending home sales in September fell 7.3%, a decline significantly larger than the expected drop of 0.3%.