Business & Markets
Amazon lifts US stocks as Apple falls after results
US stocks rose early Friday as Amazon jumped after strong results, while Apple fell after its forecast disappointed investors.
About 20 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.1 percent at 52,251.43. The S&P 500 added 0.1 percent to 7,445.25, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.4 percent to 25,219.08.
Amazon rose 13.6 percent. Alonso Munoz, chief investment officer at Hamilton Capital Partners, said Amazon had “remarkable numbers” and that the results added to confidence about artificial intelligence investments after strong results from Microsoft.
Apple fell 8.4 percent after its outlook disappointed investors despite solid results.
The moves came near the end of a volatile week for US markets. Stocks rebounded Thursday after selling off Wednesday, when US Treasury yields rose during Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's news conference after the Fed kept rates unchanged.
Analysts also cited volatility in oil prices linked to the outlook for resolving the US-Iran war. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare said higher yields and oil prices could slow the market's momentum and would be watched by traders.
Update
US stocks rose early Friday, about 20 minutes into trading.
Amazon shares rose 13.6 percent after strong results.
Apple shares fell 8.4 percent after its forecast disappointed investors despite solid results.
The Dow was up 0.1 percent at 52,251.43, the S&P 500 was up 0.1 percent at 7,445.25 and the Nasdaq was up 0.4 percent at 25,219.08.
Investors were watching rising oil prices and bond yields near the end of a volatile week.
Source note: AFP news report published on 31 July 2026 at 14:07:34 UTC.
Update
The Nasdaq Composite closed up 2.8% at 25,122.18.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 1.2% at 52,208.06 and the S&P 500 closed up 1.7% at 7,437.63.
Microsoft shares rose more than 15% after results driven by its cloud and artificial intelligence divisions.
Brent crude was down 1.9% at $89.03 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was down 1.0% at $83.59 a barrel around 2020 GMT.
Futures markets showed rising confidence that the Federal Reserve will raise rates later in the year.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 20:46:54 UTC.
Update
Wall Street gains were updated around 1530 GMT, with the Nasdaq up 2.0%.
London's FTSE 100 closed slightly lower after being near a record 11,000 points.
The yen jumped 3.3% against the dollar before paring gains, raising suspicions of Bank of Japan intervention.
Microsoft's gain was updated to more than 15%, while Meta's fall was updated to nearly 9%.
Brent crude was down 0.9% at $87.29 and WTI was flat at $84.44 around 1530 GMT.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 15:58:35 UTC.
Update
Wall Street's main indices opened higher after falling more than 1% on Wednesday.
Microsoft shares rose more than 13%, while Meta shares fell more than 9%.
Brent and WTI oil prices fell at around 1330 GMT after recent Middle East war volatility.
US GDP grew at an annualised 1.5% rate in the second quarter.
Updated European and US index levels were reported around 1330 GMT.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 14:07:52 UTC.
Update
Global stock markets diverged later Thursday as traders weighed earnings and central bank updates.
Oil prices steadied after recent volatility linked to the Middle East war.
Adidas fell 17% in Frankfurt, Schneider Electric rose more than 7% in Paris, Stellantis fell 5%, Rolls-Royce rose more than 5% and Shell gained 1%.
Around 1000 GMT, Brent was up 0.5% at $91.16 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate was up 0.1% at $84.58.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 10:39:46 UTC.
Update
Around 0810 GMT, WTI was up 1.5% at $85.71 and Brent was up 2.1% at $92.67.
London and Paris rose while Frankfurt edged down in early European trading.
AFP added further analyst commentary on investor concern after three Federal Reserve policymakers dissented in favour of a rate hike.
Source note: AFP news report published on 30 July 2026 at 08:13:27 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source describes early trading, not the final market close.
Source
AFP news report published on .