Published: July 18, 2025

The trading day in the Americas has seen a robust performance across major indices, with technology stocks once again leading the charge. Investors are reacting positively to strong earnings reports and encouraging economic data, pushing several benchmarks to new all-time highs. This optimistic sentiment is widespread, though the VIX remains an interesting watch, and the US Dollar Index shows steady strength.

Nasdaq Soars to New Peaks on Tech Strength

The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite stands out with a notable gain of +0.75%, closing at 20,885.65. This surge is largely attributed to better-than-expected updates from key tech players, including a strong profit report from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which bolstered the sector. The ongoing investment in cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to fuel the tech sector’s impressive performance and profitability.

S&P 500 and Dow 30 Maintain Upward Momentum

The S&P 500 also enjoyed a positive session, climbing +0.54% to reach 6,297.36, marking its ninth record close of 2025. Similarly, the Dow 30 advanced by +0.52%, closing at 44,484.49. Both indices benefited from robust Q2 earnings seasons, with companies like PepsiCo reporting strong international sales growth and overall positive results. This broad market strength indicates underlying economic resilience despite various geopolitical and trade-related headlines earlier in the year.

Russell 2000 Outperforms with Significant Gains

Small-cap stocks, represented by the Russell 2000, posted the largest percentage gain among the US indices, rising +1.20% to 2,253.68. This strong performance in the small-cap segment often suggests increasing investor confidence and a broader appetite for risk, as smaller companies are typically more sensitive to domestic economic conditions. Recent earnings data for the Russell 2000 indicates a significant year-over-year blended earnings growth, particularly when excluding the energy sector.

Canadian Market Sees Solid Advances

North of the border, the S&P/TSX Composite Index of Canada also closed higher, gaining +0.86% to 27,386.93. This marks a new record close for the Canadian benchmark, reflecting the positive momentum seen across the broader North American market.

VIX and US Dollar Index: Key Indicators to Watch

The VIX, often referred to as the “fear index,” saw a slight increase of +0.54% to 16.61. While still relatively low, a minor uptick in volatility could be a subtle signal for traders to monitor. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index remained strong, trading at 98.30. A robust dollar can influence global trade dynamics and corporate earnings for multinational companies.

IBOVESPA Shows Modest Gains

In South America, Brazil’s IBOVESPA posted a modest gain of +0.04%, reaching 135,564.73. While less pronounced than its North American counterparts, this still indicates a positive, albeit cautious, sentiment in the region.

Looking Ahead: Earnings and Economic Data Continue to Drive Markets

As the earnings season progresses and new economic data becomes available, market participants will continue to scrutinize these releases for further direction. The current climate suggests that strong corporate fundamentals and consumer spending are providing a solid foundation for continued market growth in the Americas. However, global events and policy decisions will remain crucial factors influencing market sentiment.