Market Recap: Major Indexes Climb as Zoom Surges 11.28%; Gold Hits Record High Amid Geopolitical Tensions

The U.S. market closed with a bullish tone on January 26, 2026, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) rose 0.639% to $49,412.40, the S&P 500 (SPX) gained 0.501% to $6,950.23, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) advanced 0.426% to $23,601.36. Commodities showed mixed results: gold futures surged 0.500% to $5,004.6, while WTI crude oil fell 0.328% to $60.87. Silver outperformed with a 2.652% gain to $104.02, but copper declined 0.698% to $5.9060. Sector performance was divergent, with Communication Services (+0.80%) and Information Technology (+0.75%) leading gains, while Consumer Discretionary (-0.67%) lagged. The market sentiment remained cautiously optimistic, driven by tech sector resilience and safe-haven demand for gold.

Hot Stocks

Tech Giants:

• Apple (AAPL): +2.97%
• Meta (META): +2.06%
• Alphabet (GOOG): +1.57%
• Microsoft (MSFT): +0.93%
• Amazon (AMZN): -0.31%
• Nvidia (NVDA): -0.64%
• Tesla (TSLA): -3.09%

Top Movers:

• Zoom (ZM): +11.28%
• Cloudflare (NET): +9.17%
• UMC (UMC): +7.50%
• CoreWeave (CRWV): +5.73%
• Arista Networks (ANET): +5.41%
• Atlassian (TEAM): +5.08%
• Datadog (DDOG): +5.00%

Analysts Opinions

Analysts highlighted a mixed market outlook, with optimism in tech innovation and caution over macroeconomic risks. The Magnificent 7’s mixed performance underscored divergent investor sentiment, while energy sector underperformance reflected concerns over global demand. The Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate decision and Trump’s interventionist policies were cited as key uncertainties. Analysts also noted the growing influence of AI-driven infrastructure investments, such as Nvidia’s $2B commitment to CoreWeave, as a potential catalyst for long-term growth.

Macro & Corporate News

1. Trump’s Tax Law Boosts Refunds for 85–90% of Filers

The IRS launched the 2026 tax season, with Trump’s 2025 tax law increasing standard deductions and child tax credits. Experts predict larger refunds for most filers, though the lack of updated withholding tables could create short-term filing challenges.

2. Nvidia Invests $2B in CoreWeave to Expand AI Compute Capacity

Nvidia’s investment in CoreWeave, a debt-laden data center firm, aims to add 5 gigawatts of AI computing power by 2030. CoreWeave’s stock surged 15% post-announcement, signaling renewed confidence in AI infrastructure.

3. Snap Faces Copyright Lawsuit Over AI Training Data

A group of YouTubers sued Snap for allegedly using their content to train AI models, including the "Imagine Lens" feature. The case adds to a growing trend of legal challenges over AI data ethics, with potential implications for tech giants.

4. UK Prime Minister Starmer Balances US-China Relations

Starmer’s upcoming visit to Beijing aims to strengthen trade ties while maintaining US partnerships. The move follows recent tensions over Hong Kong and espionage, with the UK approving a controversial Chinese embassy project in London.

5. Gold Hits Record High as Investors Seek Safety

Gold surged to $5,077 per ounce amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. The 83% annual gain reflects its role as a safe-haven asset, outpacing the S&P 500. Analysts attribute the rally to inflation concerns and U.S. dollar devaluation.

6. Winter Storms Disrupt Economy, Costing $105–$115B

Severe winter storms disrupted transportation, power grids, and supply chains, with experts estimating potential GDP losses of 0.5–2% annually. The storm caused 25 deaths and highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure resilience.