Markets: 2026-08-04 Close

A sourced recap of the previous completed U.S. trading session. Closing moves are not real-time quotes.

The market tape

- **S&P 500 (SPX)**: +1.79%, closed at 7,736.52 - **Nasdaq Composite (COMP)**: +2.59%, closed at 26,584.99 - **Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)**: +1.71%, closed at 54,085.88 - **Russell 2000 (RUT)**: +1.85%, closed at 3,036.98

Sector leaders and laggards

- Leaders: Information Technology +3.60%; Communication Services +2.60%; Industrials +2.10% - Laggards: Energy -0.80%; Consumer Staples +0.60%; Utilities +0.90%

Notable movers

Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) +29.45%

Second-quarter revenue increased 93% year over year, profit exceeded expectations and Palantir raised its full-year 2026 revenue forecast. A nearly 30% earnings gap in a mega-cap AI software name materially lifted the Nasdaq and reinforced the market's willingness to reward demonstrated AI monetization.

Sources: closing-quote · catalyst

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) +5.61%

Caterpillar reported better-than-expected profit and revenue, surpassed $20 billion of quarterly sales and revenue for the first time, and cited strong orders and backlog, including data-center power demand. The report connected the AI capital-spending boom to heavy equipment, turbines and power generation outside the traditional technology sector.

Sources: closing-quote · catalyst

NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) -15.46%

NRG released second-quarter results before the open, and the report triggered a substantial downward repricing after a strong preceding run in power and data-center-related equities. The selloff sharply diverged from the broader risk-on tape and tested enthusiasm surrounding electricity demand from data centers.

Sources: closing-quote · catalyst

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) -9.72%

Shares fell after Chipotle removed jalapeños from some restaurants amid a salmonella investigation, raising concern about customer traffic, operating disruption and future profit. The food-safety issue created a material brand and earnings-risk event in a heavily owned restaurant stock.

Sources: closing-quote · catalyst

Gartner, Inc. (IT) +22.62%

Gartner released second-quarter results before the opening bell, prompting a sharp earnings-driven repricing from the August 3 close near $151.53. The move represented a major reversal for a liquid research and advisory company whose shares had been under pressure earlier in 2026.

Sources: closing-quote · catalyst

Snap Inc. (SNAP) +14.78%

Snap reported stronger second-quarter results, including 19% revenue growth, supported by advertising demand and improved AI-driven products. The low-priced but highly liquid social-media stock cleared the $5 eligibility threshold and posted an unusually large earnings reaction.

Sources: closing-quote · catalyst

Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) +7.55%

Micron rallied with the semiconductor complex as investors returned to AI infrastructure and memory beneficiaries amid lower bond yields. A 7.5% move in a roughly $1 trillion memory producer was one of the session's largest market-cap additions.

Sources: closing-quote · market-catalyst

Arm Holdings plc (ARM) +17.36%

Arm participated disproportionately in a broad semiconductor rally as strong AI-related corporate results, lower oil prices and falling Treasury yields revived risk appetite. The outsized move in a major chip-architecture supplier showed high-beta AI exposure rapidly regaining leadership.

Sources: closing-quote · market-catalyst

Stock spotlight

Today’s detailed follow-up focuses on **Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)**, the strongest verified editorial candidate from this slate.

_MacroShed Markets is informational analysis, not investment advice._