Dow Jones and S&P500: HPE and Bank of America Fuel Early Gains Across US Stocks

Financials And Tech Push Dow Higher As HPE And Bank Of America Lead Early Gains

U.S. stocks moved higher in the first hour of trading Tuesday, with the Dow climbing over 60 points and financials and technology setting the pace. Traders responded to strong bank earnings, a notable activist stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and early strength in select industrial and consumer stocks. While the Nasdaq and S&P 500 are showing smaller moves, broad participation across sectors is helping maintain positive momentum.

Bank Of America And Citigroup Lift Financials

Bank of America surged over 3% after delivering an 11% jump in quarterly earnings, with better-than-expected net interest income and trading revenue.

Citigroup also gained more than 2% on strong trading results, adding to the sector’s early lead. Regional players like M&T Bank and Huntington Bancshares followed suit, supporting a 1.1% rise in the financials sector. Goldman Sachs contributed to the Dow’s gains with a 2% advance.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Pops On Elliott Stake

Shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise rallied nearly 7% after Elliott Management disclosed a $1.5 billion position and signaled plans to push for changes aimed at unlocking shareholder value. The announcement sparked interest across mid-cap tech, helping push the broader tech sector up 0.3%. Nvidia and Apollo Global Management also posted gains, with Apollo up over 2% on continued optimism about long-term fundamentals.

Netflix Targets $1 Trillion Valuation

Netflix jumped over 5% after a Wall Street Journal report revealed the streaming giant’s goal of doubling revenue by 2030 and hitting a $1 trillion market cap. The company is aiming for $9 billion in ad sales over the same period. The news lifted sentiment across communication services stocks, with the sector rising 0.3%.

Boeing And Dow Inc. Weigh On Industrials And Materials

Boeing dropped over 3% after reports that Chinese regulators instructed domestic airlines to pause orders of Boeing aircraft and components. The move added pressure to an already challenged name, dragging the industrials sector down early.

Dow Inc. fell over 4% following a downgrade from Bank of America, which cited economic headwinds and rising trade barriers as material risks.

Market Forecast: Earnings In Focus With Tariff Risks Lingering

Traders should expect earnings season to remain the primary catalyst in the near term. Strong results from major banks are setting a positive tone, while moves by activist investors are sparking fresh interest in undervalued tech. However, headwinds tied to tariffs and China-U.S. trade tensions could re-emerge and pressure industrial names. Watch for upcoming earnings from consumer and tech giants and any updates on trade policy for cues on broader market direction.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.