Wall Street’s main indexes moved higher on Monday as oil prices fell more than 7% on renewed hopes for a U.S.-Iran peace agreement, giving investors some relief ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections. The market was also preparing for another busy week of corporate earnings, with technology companies remaining under close scrutiny following recent concerns over the scale and cost of artificial intelligence investment.

Oil Decline Provides Relief for Equity Markets

The decline in crude prices was the most immediate driver of Monday’s market move. Brent crude fell to its lowest level in more than two weeks as talks between Iran and Qatari officials raised expectations that an agreement with the United States could eventually reduce disruptions to Middle East oil supplies.

Lower oil prices can ease pressure on businesses and consumers by reducing energy costs, while also potentially limiting inflationary pressure across the broader economy. For equity markets, the move offered investors a more favorable backdrop as they assessed geopolitical risks alongside expectations for economic and corporate developments.

Major Indexes Move Higher

The improved sentiment lifted all three major U.S. indexes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.06%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.58% and the Nasdaq advanced 0.65%.

The gains came as investors balanced falling energy prices against uncertainty surrounding the political and economic environment. Tuesday’s midterm elections add another layer of uncertainty, particularly because their outcome could influence expectations around U.S. policy and the broader economic environment.

Markets are therefore entering the election with several competing factors in focus. Lower crude prices provide some relief, but investors continue to assess corporate earnings, technology spending and the direction of economic policy.

Oracle and Apple Remain Under Pressure

Not all technology stocks participated in the broader advance. Oracle shares declined after the company announced plans to raise $20 billion through a combination of debt and share sales. The financing plan highlights the substantial capital requirements associated with its AI and cloud infrastructure expansion.

Apple also fell ahead of its earnings report, which was due after markets closed. The company’s results were expected to provide another important measure of consumer demand and the performance of one of the world’s largest technology companies.

The contrasting moves demonstrate the selective nature of the current market environment. While broader indexes benefited from falling oil prices, individual companies remain sensitive to earnings expectations, financing requirements and the cost of technology investment.

Elections and Earnings Set the Next Market Test

Investors now face a week in which political developments and corporate earnings could drive market direction. The midterm elections may influence expectations for U.S. policy, while additional earnings reports will provide further evidence of how companies are managing costs and investment during a period of heightened scrutiny.

For global investors, including those monitoring U.S. markets from Israel, the relationship between energy prices, geopolitical developments and corporate performance will remain important. The next several sessions will show whether falling oil prices can provide sustained support for equities or whether election uncertainty and technology-sector concerns regain influence over market sentiment.