04.08.202609:29 Forex Analysis & Reviews: Stock market on August 4: S&P 500 and NASDAQ extend brisk gains

Yesterday, equity indices posted solid gains. The S&P 500 rose by 1.48%, and the Nasdaq 100 added 0.01%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average strengthened by 1.32%.

Global indices are near record highs, and futures point to further upside after a tech-led Wall Street rally followed a month of elevated volatility. The MSCI All-Country World index holds around 1,130, just below its record 1,136.59. Monday's tech rally pushed the S&P 500 toward its all-time high. Palantir Technologies shares jumped by 14% in after-hours trade after the company raised guidance.

Treasuries gave back some of Monday's gains as oil rebounded after last session's drop, which had followed optimism about de-escalation in the Middle East. The 10-year Treasury yield rose by two basis points to 4.69%, while WTI added 0.8% to $81/bbl after a 5% retreat on Monday.

The yen weakened by 0.3% to 157.70 per dollar in the Asian session, giving up part of the intervention-driven move earlier in the week — the currency had jumped by more than 4% over the prior four sessions following coordinated US-Japan FX action.

Published data showed US manufacturing activity accelerated in July at the fastest pace in over four years, industrial production ticked higher, and firms resumed hiring. However, geopolitical headlines and US employment prints later this week will remain focal points as traders assess whether lower oil prices will ease inflationary pressure and alter rate-expectation dynamics. Another potential market test comes on Tuesday when SpaceX reports for the first time as a public company — an event that sets the stage for one of the largest share unlocks in capital-market history, with up to $116bn of shares becoming available for sale starting next month.

Technically, the daily S&P 500 chart suggests that the immediate task for buyers is to overcome the nearby resistance level of $7,633. Doing so would confirm further upside and open the way to $7,656. Maintaining control above $7,679 would further cement the bulls' position. On the downside, buyers need to defend $7,607. A break below that level would likely push the index back to $7,574 and open the path to $7,544.