Post-Bell｜Tech And Rare Earth Deals Shape Markets As Geopolitical Tensions Persist

01 Stock Market

The U.S. major indexes closed as follows: Dow Jones declined 0.01% at 49,442.56; S&P 500 fell 0.24% at 7,109.14; NASDAQ slipped 0.26% at 24,404.39. A modest pull-back followed last week’s rebound, with investors digesting a mixed bag of earnings reports and headline risks from the Middle East.

Chip names and select thematic plays saw the sharpest swings. Tesla (TSLA) fell 2.03% at $392.50, while Intel (INTC) declined 4.09% at $65.70. In contrast, Marvell Technology (MRVL) jumped 5.83% at $147.84 on AI-chip optimism, and space-launch supplier Rocket Lab (RKLB) climbed 5.50% at $89.46. Among mega-caps, Apple (AAPL) edged up 1.04% at $273.05 whereas Microsoft (MSFT) slipped 1.12% at $418.07. Rare-earth developer USA Rare Earth (USAR) surged 13.18% at $22.58 after unveiling an expansion deal, and leveraged semiconductor ETF SOXL added 1.33% at $95.94.

Turnover remained concentrated in technology and resource plays. Softer index levels masked rotation beneath the surface as traders positioned ahead of the next wave of earnings and monitored geopolitical headlines that kept energy and defense-linked shares in focus.

02 Other Markets

U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was flat at 0.00%, latest at 4.25%.

USD/CNH fell 0.0029%, at 6.86; USD/HKD rose 0.0040%, at 7.83.

U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.0275%, at 98.02.

WTI crude futures fell 1.26%, at 86.32 USD/bbl; COMEX gold futures rose 0.43%, at 4,849.80 USD/oz.

03 Top News

1. Trump Signals Iran Ceasefire Extension Unlikely, Keeping Strait of Hormuz Blocked. The president warned the waterway will stay shut without a deal, pushing crude prices higher and adding to global supply concerns. Traders now anticipate further energy-market volatility.

2. White House Orders FDA to Fast-Track Psychedelic Drug Reviews. An executive order allocates $50 million for ibogaine research and speeds potential rescheduling, lifting shares of several psychedelic drug developers. Officials said decisions could arrive within months, aiming to expand PTSD treatment options.

3. USA Rare Earth to Buy Brazil’s Serra Verde for $2.8 Billion. The cash-and-stock deal secures a long-term supply of all four key magnetic rare earths outside Asia. A 15-year offtake agreement backed by U.S. funding supports the transaction, and USAR’s stock jumped after the announcement.

4. Drone Maker AEVEX Extends Post-IPO Rally, Up Over 30%. Investor appetite for defense technology remains robust as governments boost unmanned-system budgets. Management says it will leverage IPO proceeds to expand autonomous capabilities and pursue selective acquisitions.

5. Vice President Vance Heads to Pakistan for Renewed Iran Talks. The delegation aims to revive dialogue amid escalating tensions; the trip underscores Washington’s diplomatic push to defuse regional risks that have rattled energy markets and global shipping.

6. KeyBanc Lifts Amazon Price Target to $325 on AI and Satellite Ambitions. Analysts cite strength in Amazon Web Services and the forthcoming “Leo” satellite network as growth catalysts. The broker sees potential for a 30% share-price upside despite near-term headwinds from higher fuel costs.

7. Analysts Issue Flurry of Rating Changes on Major Tech Names Ahead of Earnings. Jefferies hiked Tesla’s target to $350 while Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight stance on Apple; Deutsche Bank reiterated a buy on Microsoft, reflecting diverging views as big-tech earnings loom.

8. Tesla’s Energy Storage Unit Poised to Offset Automotive Margin Pressure. Research suggests the Megapack business could deliver 29% gross margins this year, helping cushion shrinking profitability in vehicle sales as the company invests heavily in robotics and autonomous tech.

9. Iranian Officials Indicate Willingness to Join Second Round of U.S. Talks in Islamabad. Pakistani intermediaries report cautious optimism for face-to-face negotiations, offering a potential path toward de-escalation that markets are closely monitoring.

10. SanDisk Set to Join Nasdaq-100, Prompting Index-Tracking Funds to Rebalance. The memory-storage firm’s inclusion follows a strong share-price run driven by data-center demand, while Atlassian will exit the benchmark, likely spurring near-term trading adjustments.