U.S. markets ended mostly higher on Tuesday, supported by a decline in crude oil prices and growing optimism over a potential resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict, as both countries continued to refrain from further attacks. Traders took some support after preliminary data showed that US wholesale inventories rose 0.3 percent month-over-month to $945.9 billion in June 2026, matching the upwardly revised 0.3 percent increase recorded in May and exceeding market expectations of a 0.2 percent gain. Inventories increased for a fifth consecutive month, supported by a 0.7 percent rise in durable goods stocks after a 0.2 percent increase in the previous month.
However, traders were cautious as weakness in technology stocks weighed on the Nasdaq, with semiconductor stocks among the worst performers. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunged 4.5%, marking its fourth consecutive daily decline and closing at its lowest level in well over two months. Considerable weakness was also evident among computer hardware stocks, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index slumping 2.5%. Additionally, sentiments remained downbeat after the Conference Board reported that U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly deteriorated in July. The Consumer Confidence Index declined to 90.8 from an upwardly revised 92.2 in June.
Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 537.24 points or 1.03 percent to 52,747.32 and S&P 500 up 15.6 points or 0.21 percent to 7,428.78, while Nasdaq decreased 55.17 points or 0.22 percent to 24,876.91.
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