The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up by more than 250 points but finished in negative ground Monday while the other major indexes hit new highs. Cleveland-Cliffs and Verizon Communications jumped following quarterly results. And Block surged while a Warren Buffett holding reversed lower on the stock market today.
The Dow peaked at 259 points above Friday's close but fell back to earth and ended the day with a slight deficit. Outside of Verizon, Bill Ackman stock Nike outperformed, rising more than 2%. It is rebounding well after getting support at the 200-day line and is up more than 40% on its lows for the year. Amazon.com was also strong thanks to a gain of more than 1%.
The Nasdaq composite gained 0.4%. It was off session highs but managed yet another record close. Semiconductor stock Arm flexed its muscles, turning in a gain of more than 4%. Ross Stores outperformed with a lift of more than 3%.
The S&P 500 also pared some of its gains, but picked up 0.1% for its first foray above the 6,300 mark. A majority of the benchmark index's sectors gained ground on the stock market today, with communication services and consumer discretionary leading the way. Energy and health care were the worst-performing areas.
Stock Market Today: Energy Play Flashes Sell Signal
Top performers included chocolate play Hershey, which ended well off session highs despite a gain of more than 3%. Deckers Outdoor and Tapestry also stood out thanks to gains of around 3% each.
But energy stock EQT, a former Leaderboard member, lagged as it fell nearly 10%. It flashed a sell signal by gapping below its 50-day moving average. The move came in higher volume.
The natural gas play was hit hard after Chief Executive Toby Rice told the Financial Times China could win the artificial intelligence race if Congress fails to cut project approval times. He warned there is a risk of "bad actors getting rich by selling energy that could be replaced with American energy."
Volume was higher on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, according to preliminary data.
Small caps lagged the major indexes. The Russell 2000 index reversed lower, falling 0.4%. It remains clear of its 21-day line and its 200-day moving average.
Growth stocks saw strong gains evaporate, with the Innovator IBD 50 exchange traded fund falling 0.7%. The fund currently trades in a buy zone above a 32.93 entry.
Cleveland-Cliffs, Verizon Pop After Earnings
Earnings season is heating up, and a couple of equities closed solidly higher on the stock market today following results.
Cleveland-Cliffs surged after the company posted a narrower-than-expected loss of 50 cents per share for its second quarter. Revenue declined 3% to $4.93 billion, which met views. The steel producer is also expecting to benefit from greater protectionism.
Shares ended near highs for the day, jumping more than 12%. It has now moved above the important 200-day moving average. It had met resistance at this benchmark earlier this month. It is now up around 90% from its June low of 5.63.
Telecommunications stock Verizon rose 4%. It was boosted after per-share earnings rose 6% to $1.22 while revenue climbed 5% to $34.5 billion. It beat Wall Street expectations on both fronts.
The telecommunications company also hiked its annual earnings guidance. It now expects earnings growth in the range of 1% to 3%.
Verizon scrambled past resistance to close back above the 200-day line. It has an underwhelming Composite Rating of 36 from Investor's Business Daily but is up nearly 7% so far this year.
Alphabet Stock Climbs Higher In Buy Zone, Note This Risk
Google-parent Alphabet was among equities making solid gains on the stock market today. It was a top performer on the Nasdaq thanks to a lift of nearly 3%.
The internet search behemoth moved higher in its buy zone above a first stage cup-with-handle entry of 181.23, MarketSurge analysis shows. It is above its short-term and major moving averages and the relative strength line is gaining traction.
Overall performance is strong, with its IBD Composite Rating sitting at 92 out of 99. Funds have been increasing their holdings of late, with its Accumulation/Distribution Rating sitting at B-.
However, buying now would be a risky move given earnings are due after the stock market closes on Wednesday.
An approach highlighted by Investor's Business Daily is to use options as a strategy to reduce risk around earnings. It's a way to capitalize on the upside potential of a stock's move around earnings, while reducing the downside risk.
3:05 p.m. ET
Gold Leader Shines, These Plays Eye Entries
One area that was shining on the stock market today was gold. Stocks in the space were gaining as the previous metal itself moved higher. Gold futures climbed nearly 2% to more than $3,400 per ounce.
This boosted Wheaton Precious Metals, which was up more than 3%. It us currently eyeing a flat base with an ideal buy point of 95.23. This is part of a bullish base-on-base pattern.
It has an IBD Composite Rating of 98 out of a best-possible 99. Earnings are seen surging 59% in 2025. In total, 56% of shares are held by funds. In addition, it is a member of Investor's Business Daily's Leaderboard list of top stocks.
Wheaton is a precious metals streaming company, meaning it provides up-front financing to mining companies in exchange for the right to purchase a percentage of the mine's future precious metal production.
Agnico Eagle, Gold Fields Near Entries
Former Leaderboard play Agnico Eagle Mines also got a lift, rising more than 4%. It has been getting support at its 50-day line and still has a cup-with-handle entry of 126.65 in its sights, MarketSurge analysis shows.
This gold mining stock has a best-possible Composite Rating of 99. Per-share earnings are seen swelling by 67% this year. So far in 2025, it has risen nearly 57%. It is a member of the Stock Spotlight list.
The firm has mines in Canada, Mexico, Finland and Australia. The highly-rated Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) is among the noteworthy backers.
Gold Fields also moved higher, rising more than 5%. It is approaching a new consolidation buy point of 26.36 after previously finding bullish support at its 50-day moving average.
So far in 2025 the stock has rallied more than 80% year-to-date. Earnings are seen surging 113% in 2025 before growing another 17% in 2026.
Gold Fields undertakes mining operations in Australia, South America and Canada.
1:46 p.m. ET
Stock Market Today: Block Surges On S&P 500 Nod
Once equity that was outperforming the broader stock market today was payments stock Block.
It was up nearly 8% as it gets set to join the S&P 500 before the start of trading on July 23. The move was announced Friday. It is taking the place of Hess, which has been acquired by Chevron.
Block stock gapped up, decisively moving clear of its 200-day moving average in the process, MarketSurge analysis shows. The move came in extremely high volume. Nevertheless, the New York Stock Exchange-listed issue remains down nearly 8% for the year so far. While its 50-day line is rising, it remains below the 200-day.
Overall performance is strong, but not ideal. It holds an IBD Composite Rating of 87, with price performance currently its Achilles' heel. When a stock gets added to the S&P 500 it forces mass buying of the stock among index funds, as well as other funds that concentrate on the large cap index.
Originally know as Square, Block changed its company name in 2021 to reflect the fact it was moving beyond its original payments business.
Its current portfolio of enterprises includes Square, the Cash App and music streaming service Tidal. The latter firm was famously launched by rap star Jay-Z.
In addition, being on the benchmark index adds to the credibility of the firm and its stock. It acts as a badge of legitimacy to institutional investors.
12:35 p.m. ET
Warren Buffett Stock Tossed Higher, Reverses
Domino's Pizza saw an early gain evaporate on the stock market today. It reversed lower, falling around 2% following a mixed earnings report.
Earnings fell 5% to $3.81 per share, which was below analyst expectations, while revenue of $1.15 billion was in line. It had initially gained after the company's same-store sales came in better than expected.
Warren Buffett-led Berkshire Hathaway is a noteworthy backer of Domino's. The legendary value investor's firm has a sizable slice of stock, holding 2.6 million shares in the pizza delivery play.
Berkshire has been building a position in the holding over the past three quarters.
However, those following IBD investing principles would be concerned that its Composite Rating comes in at 73 while earnings have only grown by an average 10% over the past three quarters.
11:39 a.m. ET
Urban Outfitters Clears Entry
With the current stock market uptrend continuing to show strength, it is important to keep an eye out for breakouts. IBD is currently recommending 80%-100% stock market exposure.
Urban Outfitters stock surged more than 5%, clearing a cup-with-handle base with a 74.45 buy point. This is an early-stage pattern, a plus.
Overall performance is top class for the clothing and home decor stock. This is reflected in its IBD Composite Rating, which sits at 96 out of 99. It also sits near the top of the competitive apparel industry group.
Earnings performance is its strongest suit at the moment, with its Earnings Per Share Rating sitting a near-ideal 98. In addition, earnings have grown by an average of 48% over the past three quarters.
Urban Outfitters is among the top 7% of stocks in terms of price performance over the past 12 months and is up more than 37% already in 2025. Management owns 25% of shares, according to MarketSurge data.
Institutions have also added to their holdings of late, with its Accumulation/Distribution Rating sitting at B. In total, 66% of shares are held by funds. The acclaimed Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) is among its noteworthy backers.
10:43 a.m. ET
Stock Market Today: This Leaderboard Stock Is Near Entry
A majority of Leaderboard stocks were higher Monday. But Vertiv, which is flirting with a handle entry of 131.38, fell just over 1%.
It rebounded well last week after getting support at the 50-day moving average, according to MarketSurge analysis.
The digital infrastructure play is an excellent all-around performer, which is reflected in its near-perfect IBD Composite Rating of 98.
It is a relatively new member of the portfolio of highly rated stocks as it was added last week.
9:48 a.m. ET
Stock Market Today: Early Winners And Losers
Meta Platforms and CoreWeave were early winners on the stock market today, rallying nearly 2% and more than 3%, respectively.
On the downside, Robinhood Markets, MercadoLibre and Roblox were among the session's losers in morning trading.
All three were down 2% or more right after the opening bell, but trimmed those losses in recent trades.
8:50 a.m. ET
Dow Jones Movers: American Express, Apple, Microsoft
Inside the Dow Jones Industrial Average, American Express, Apple and Microsoft were among the early movers.
Shares of American Express moved up 0.4%, on pace to bounce back from their 50-day moving average, a key level to watch.
Apple stock gained 0.7% Monday, looking to add to Friday's 0.6% gain. Shares remain nearly 19% off their 52-week high.
Microsoft declined 0.6% in morning action, threatening to extend Friday's fall from record highs.
8:09 a.m. ET
Earnings Movers: Domino's Pizza, Verizon
Key earnings movers Monday were Domino's Pizza and Verizon Communications.
Shares of Domino's rallied nearly 4% as the company U.S. same-store sales came in stronger than expected, offsetting missed second-quarter profit estimates.
Verizon stock jumped nearly 5% in premarket trading after the company reported better-than-expected results for its second quarter and raised the low end of its full-year earnings outlook.
Stock Market Today: Alphabet And Tesla Earnings Due
The coming week will be a busy one, with Tesla and Alphabet earnings on tap for Wednesday after the market closes.
Defense contractors carry some solid momentum into this week's slate of earnings. Lockheed Martin, RTX and Northrop Grumman report Tuesday.
Finally, companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average reporting this week include Coca-Cola, Honeywell and Sherwin Williams.
Be sure to follow Scott Lehtonen on X at @IBD_SLehtonen for more on growth stocks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the stock market today.
