Major US stock indexes rise 7/15/2026 on strong earnings and easing inflation

U.S. stocks drifted higher on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 up 0.4% to 7,572.40, the Dow Jones rising 0.3% to 52,658.64, and the Nasdaq climbing 0.6% to 26,269.23. BlackRock's better-than-expected quarterly profit helped lead the market rally, while easing bond yields following slower-than-expected wholesale inflation data provided additional support.

Why it matters: Oil prices swung near their highest levels in a month, and all four major indexes posted solid year-to-date gains ranging from 9.6% (Dow) to 13% (Nasdaq).