U.S. stock exchanges started Monday higher, with falling oil helping the market ahead of a decisive week. In addition to earnings reports from major technology companies, investors are awaiting the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.
The S&P 500 was up 0,76%, at 7.468,51 points. The Dow Jones was rising 1,22%, to 52.582,10 points, while the Nasdaq was gaining 0,83%, at 25.182,71 points.
Among the other indexes, the Russell 2000 was down 0,35%, to 2.930 points. The VIX, known as the volatility index, was falling 4,68%, to 17,71 points, signaling lower tension in the markets.
In the commodities market, crude oil was down 5,53%, trading at US$ 84,37. The price decline comes after the United States and Iran suspended the fighting over the weekend.
The halt in the clashes increased expectations for a resumption of peace negotiations. As a result, investors began to consider a possible reduction in pressure on energy prices.
The move is also of interest to the Federal Reserve. The monetary authority is expected to announce its interest rate decision this Wednesday, with the prevailing expectation that rates will be kept unchanged.
The path of inflation continues to be one of the main factors monitored by policymakers. A more consistent drop in oil could help reduce part of the pressure on prices, although other components of the economy are also taken into account.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin was following the positive movement in the markets. The cryptocurrency was trading at US$ 64.944,67, up 0,74% at the time of the update.
In the stock market, attention is also focused on earnings reports from Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Apple and Amazon. The results should offer new clues about spending on artificial intelligence and the prospects for monetizing the technology.
The corporate calendar also includes AstraZeneca, Nucor, SK Hynix, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Procter & Gamble and Arm Holdings. ExxonMobil and Chevron close out the string of results, keeping oil and energy among the sectors watched by investors.
Gold, in turn, was up 0,38%, to US$ 4.086,40 per ounce. The move comes in a session marked by rising stocks, falling oil and lower volatility as measured by the VIX.