Stock Market Update

Traders were actively engaged at the New York Stock Exchange on July 15, 2026.

As of Wednesday night, U.S. stock futures showed little movement after a day of growth fueled by slower inflation, lower Treasury yields, and positive earnings reports. Specifically, Dow futures increased by 15 points (0.03%), aligning with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while S&P 500 futures went up by 0.05%. Nasdaq 100 futures saw a rise of 0.11%.

In regular trading, the Dow gained 150.91 points (0.3%) closing at 52,659.18. The S&P rose by 0.4%, finishing at 7,572.43, buoyed heavily by tech stocks. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.6% to reach 26,269.23.

Looking ahead to Thursday, Asia-Pacific markets are positioned for mixed performance. Japanese Nikkei futures are set to open lower at 67,890 compared to the previous close of 68,751.51. On the other hand, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures are currently at 24,829, showing an increase from Wednesday’s close of 24,681.1. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 futures are trading at 8,821, down from 8,841.1.

A surprising dip in the U.S. producer price index has spurred hope that inflation might be easing. This has positively influenced stock prices and sparked confidence that the Federal Reserve could maintain current interest rates. Furthermore, strong earnings reports from major financial institutions have helped assure investors about ongoing profit growth, despite a backdrop of easing inflation. The decrease in U.S. Treasury yields has made growth stocks, especially in technology, more appealing.

Michael Kantrowitz, chief investment strategist at Piper Sandler, shared insights on CNBC, emphasizing that stable or falling interest rates are crucial for market growth. He stated, “I absolutely believe that for the market to expand, interest rates need to stay flat or fall. The best backdrop for the stock market in today’s economy would likely be subdued employment, which could help keep interest rates contained.”

Investors will keep a close eye on retail sales data and jobless claims, expected on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET, as indicators of whether the economy has slowed sufficiently to control inflation without slipping into a recession. Corporate earnings remain a key factor as well; UnitedHealth is set to report results before market opening, while Netflix will share its figures subsequently.