What’s Driving US Markets from past two days?

Oil fell 6%, and that lit the fuse

As we all know, rising oil prices have put major pressure on the markets this year. Crude dropped about 6% to near $76 a barrel, roughly ₹7,270, after Trump paused strikes on Iran to negotiate reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Cheaper oil means cooler inflation, a calmer Fed, and money flowing back into stocks. That is the engine sitting under both green days.

Palantir +26%, Caterpillar +6%: earnings are paying for this

This rally is not just a mood, it is backed by real results. Palantir jumped 26% on a blowout quarter, and Caterpillar rose 6% after revenue topped $20 billion, about ₹1.9 lakh crore, for the first time on AI data centre demand. With more than 84% of S&P 500 companies beating so far, the AI spending wave is still turning into actual revenue, not just headlines.

The big names all ran together

Strength was broad across the giants. Over the two days, Meta gained about 6%, Microsoft and Alphabet roughly 5% each, Tesla 3.5%, and Nvidia 2.9%. The semiconductor index alone jumped 6% on Tuesday after a rough July, which tells you the buying was spread wide, not stuck in one name.

Amazon touched $3 trillion, then Bezos hit sell

Amazon crossed $3 trillion, roughly ₹287 lakh crore, on Monday, then slipped about 2% on Tuesday after Bezos filed to sell around $4 billion, near ₹38,300 crore, in stock. It is always worth a second look when a founder sells into his own record high.

Friday’s jobs report is the only date that matters this week

Today is quiet on data. The week turns on Friday’s July jobs report, expected near 100,000 new jobs with unemployment around 4.2%. That number will shape the tone going into the Fed’s September meeting, so treat the calm before it as positioning time.

The quiet tell most people missed

Here is the edge. Nearly 80% of Nasdaq volume was advancing, and the share of stocks above their 200 day average climbed from about 62% to 69%. When a rally broadens past the same seven names, it usually has more staying power than a narrow one, and that is the part the headlines skipped.

What I’m watching into the open

Any fresh Iran or oil headline, since the entire move rests on that deal holding. And whether the chip bounce sticks after Tuesday’s 6% jump.

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Educational content. Not investment advice. Figures approximate and as of Tuesday, before the US close. Do your own research.