Today’s Stock Market in 2-Minutes
November 5, 2026
By Alex Financials
U.S. stocks rallied on Monday as investors returned to equities following last week’s technology-led selloff. Falling oil prices, improving sentiment toward artificial intelligence stocks, and stronger-than-expected corporate earnings helped drive a broad recovery across Wall Street.
At 12:42 p.m. Eastern time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 1,043 points, or approximately 2%. The S&P 500 advanced 2.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.6%, according to the Associated Press market report.
The recovery follows a difficult week for investors, particularly those heavily exposed to technology and semiconductor companies. Concerns about artificial intelligence valuations, increasing data center costs, and potential regulatory restrictions triggered significant selling across several major technology stocks.
However, Monday’s session suggests that investors are beginning to find opportunities among companies that experienced substantial declines.
Ten of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors were trading higher during the late-morning session, with industrials and consumer discretionary stocks leading the gains.
The Dow’s performance was particularly strong as investors rotated toward companies that could benefit from lower energy costs and improving economic sentiment.
Technology stocks also participated in the rebound, although Nvidia ($NVDA) remained a notable exception after developments involving its CEO created additional uncertainty.
For investors, Monday’s rally provides some relief after October’s volatility, but the underlying debate surrounding AI spending, corporate profitability, and financing costs remains unresolved.
One of Monday’s most important developments is the sharp decline in international oil prices following renewed hopes for diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran.
Brent crude fell 4.8% to approximately $93.59 per barrel, retreating from levels above $112 earlier in November.
The decline followed comments from President Donald Trump, who told CNN over the weekend that renewed military strikes against Iran were highly unlikely if negotiations made meaningful progress.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed the situation, although he indicated that some Iranian demands for ending the conflict remained unacceptable.
The developments have encouraged investors to reconsider the possibility of a prolonged disruption to Middle Eastern energy supplies.
Falling oil prices can provide meaningful relief to businesses and households.
Airlines, shipping companies, cruise operators, and transportation businesses are particularly sensitive to fuel costs. When crude prices decline, these companies may benefit from lower operating expenses and improved profit margins.
Several travel-related stocks advanced on Monday.
United Airlines ($UAL) gained approximately 5.9%, while cruise operator Carnival ($CCL) also moved higher as investors welcomed the potential reduction in fuel expenses.
Lower energy prices can also help reduce inflationary pressure. If fuel and transportation costs decline, businesses may face fewer incentives to increase prices, potentially giving the Federal Reserve more flexibility with monetary policy.
However, the situation remains uncertain. Diplomatic discussions have not produced a comprehensive agreement, and geopolitical tensions could still lead to renewed supply disruptions.
For the broader stock market, the decline in oil prices is an important positive catalyst because it reduces one of the major inflation risks that has concerned investors throughout October.
Nvidia ($NVDA) was one of the few major technology stocks moving sharply lower on Monday, falling approximately 4.7% despite the broader market recovery.
The decline follows an announcement from Nvidia’s board of directors that it has initiated an independent investigation into whether CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.
The investigation follows media reports concerning Huang’s relationship with a former executive at Singapore-based technology company Megaspeed International. U.S. authorities reportedly investigated the individual over suspected links to Chinese intelligence and potential efforts to obtain restricted semiconductor technology.
Huang has acknowledged personal misconduct in an internal message, apologized to his family and colleagues, and reaffirmed his commitment to Nvidia and U.S. national security.
The company has emphasized that its board has no reason to believe that U.S. national security or Nvidia’s confidential information was compromised.
The investigation will be overseen by independent directors with assistance from outside legal counsel.
Nvidia is one of the world’s most influential technology companies, and Huang has played a central role in its transformation into the dominant supplier of AI processors.
The company’s valuation and long-term growth expectations are closely tied to its leadership, innovation strategy, and relationships with major cloud computing businesses.
Consequently, uncertainty surrounding its CEO could create additional volatility even if the company’s underlying operations remain strong.
There are also broader geopolitical implications. Nvidia has faced increasing scrutiny over advanced chip exports to China, and the latest allegations could intensify discussions about technology security and international trade restrictions.
U.S. lawmakers have already called for Huang to brief Congress about the allegations.
For investors, it is important to distinguish between an ongoing investigation and evidence of actual wrongdoing involving company secrets. Nvidia has not reported a breach of its technology or confidential information.
The coming weeks could provide additional clarity about the investigation and its potential implications for corporate governance.
Read Nvidia’s official statement from its board of directors and Reuters’ report on the investigation.
Constellation Energy ($CEG) was among Monday’s strongest-performing stocks after reporting better-than-expected third-quarter results and increasing its full-year earnings outlook.
The company reported third-quarter adjusted operating earnings of $5.06 per share, compared with $3.04 during the same period last year.
GAAP earnings reached $5.19 per share, compared with $2.97 a year earlier.
Management raised its full-year 2026 adjusted operating earnings forecast to a range of $12.50 to $12.80 per share, increasing the midpoint and narrowing its previous guidance range.
Shares gained approximately 8% to 9.5% during Monday trading as investors welcomed the results and the company’s growing position in the energy infrastructure market.
Constellation is benefiting from increased electricity demand associated with AI data centers.
Advanced AI systems require enormous amounts of computing capacity, which creates substantial demand for reliable electricity and supporting infrastructure.
Technology companies are increasingly signing long-term agreements with energy providers to secure the power needed to operate their facilities.
Constellation announced several important developments during the quarter, including:
The company said its recently announced agreements add more than 1,000 megawatts of new emissions-free generation capacity to the grid.
These developments demonstrate how the AI investment cycle extends beyond semiconductor manufacturers and cloud computing companies.
Electricity producers, nuclear operators, and power infrastructure businesses are becoming increasingly important parts of the technology supply chain.
For investors, Constellation’s results provide another example of how AI-related demand can create opportunities in traditional industries.
Read Constellation Energy’s official third-quarter 2026 earnings release.
NRG Energy ($NRG) also attracted attention on Monday after announcing a $4 billion agreement to sell selected electricity generation assets to LS Power.
The transaction involves six natural gas-fired facilities with combined generating capacity of approximately 4.9 gigawatts.
NRG expects the sale to generate $4 billion in cash proceeds, subject to customary adjustments and regulatory approvals. The transaction is currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2027.
Management said the proceeds will support additional share repurchases, reduce debt, and provide greater financial flexibility for future investments.
The company also reported third-quarter results, including:
NRG reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance and introduced its initial outlook for 2027.
The company also confirmed that its previously announced 1.2-gigawatt Bring Your Own Power data center project remains on track.
The announcement reinforces the growing relationship between electricity markets and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Large data centers require reliable electricity supplies, and technology companies are increasingly seeking direct relationships with power producers.
NRG’s planned asset sale also illustrates how energy companies are adjusting their portfolios to improve capital allocation and strengthen balance sheets.
The combination of electricity demand, long-term customer contracts, and infrastructure investment is creating new opportunities for companies operating outside the traditional technology sector.
For investors, the energy market is increasingly becoming an important area to monitor when evaluating the long-term growth of artificial intelligence.
Read NRG Energy’s official third-quarter earnings results.
Monday’s earnings calendar includes several companies from different industries, providing additional insight into enterprise software, precious metals, and financial markets.
Enterprise software company monday.com reported third-quarter revenue of $377.5 million, representing 19% growth year over year.
Non-GAAP operating income reached a record $89.4 million, compared with $47.5 million a year earlier. Its non-GAAP operating margin increased to 24% from 15%.
The company also reported that its AI products, including AI credits and agents, reached $36 million in annual recurring revenue.
Despite these improvements, investors focused on management’s fourth-quarter outlook, which projects revenue growth of approximately 14%.
Shares declined in premarket trading following the announcement as investors assessed the slower growth outlook and the operational challenges associated with the company’s transition toward an AI-first strategy.
The results highlight the importance of future guidance in technology valuations. Strong current profitability is encouraging, but investors may still demand faster growth from businesses trading at premium valuations.
Read monday.com’s official third-quarter results.
Barrick Mining reported third-quarter revenue of $5.07 billion, an increase of 22% year over year.
Adjusted net earnings reached $0.82 per share, compared with $0.58 during the same quarter last year.
Gold production increased 6% year over year to 816,000 ounces, excluding divested assets, while adjusted EBITDA rose 22% to $2.47 billion.
The company also reported approximately $2.49 billion in operating cash flow and $640 million in attributable free cash flow.
Barrick returned $1.04 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends while ending the quarter with approximately $900 million in net cash.
The results demonstrate the benefits of higher precious-metal prices and improved operating performance.
The company maintained its full-year gold production guidance of 2.90 million to 3.25 million ounces.
Read Barrick’s official third-quarter financial results.
KKR reported record quarterly operating earnings, with total operating earnings increasing 23% on a trailing 12-month basis.
Fee-related earnings increased to approximately $1.32 billion in the third quarter, compared with $1.03 billion in the same period last year.
The company benefited from higher management fees and growth in its asset management business.
Shares gained approximately 2.3% during Monday trading, according to Reuters.
The results provide an encouraging signal for the alternative asset management industry, where firms are benefiting from larger pools of fee-paying capital and expanding private credit businesses.
Read KKR’s official third-quarter 2026 earnings release.
Berkshire Hathaway’s ($BRK.B) latest quarterly results remain an important topic for investors following the company’s decision to repurchase $9.6 billion of its own shares during the third quarter.
The buybacks represent a significant increase from the second quarter and suggest that management saw value in the company’s stock at earlier price levels.
However, Berkshire’s total cash reserves also increased to approximately $377.4 billion, demonstrating that the company continues to maintain substantial financial flexibility.
Third-quarter total profit declined more than 28% year over year to $22.1 billion, largely because of changes in the value of its investment portfolio.
Operating earnings, which exclude fluctuations in investment values, declined approximately 6% to $12.7 billion.
One area of concern was the company’s insurance business. Berkshire’s total insurance underwriting profit fell to $1.35 billion from $2.37 billion a year earlier.
Geico experienced weaker underwriting performance as insurance premiums declined while claim costs increased. The company has also been increasing advertising expenditure to attract new customers.
Meanwhile, Berkshire’s manufacturing, utilities, and railroad businesses showed relatively stronger performance.
The results are particularly relevant because Warren Buffett’s transition away from the CEO role has placed additional attention on Greg Abel’s leadership and capital allocation decisions.
For investors, Berkshire remains an important example of a company with substantial cash reserves, diversified operations, and the ability to repurchase shares when management believes valuations are attractive.
Read Associated Press’ report on Berkshire Hathaway’s third-quarter results.
The next major economic catalyst for financial markets will be Tuesday’s October Consumer Price Index report.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release the report on November 10 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.
The report will provide an updated picture of consumer inflation following a period of elevated energy costs and uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Investors will pay particular attention to core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices.
Core inflation is important because it provides a clearer indication of underlying price pressures rather than temporary movements in volatile commodity markets.
The release could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve’s December policy decision.
Recent October employment data showed that U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 165,000, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1%.
The stronger-than-expected labor market has increased concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to keep interest rates elevated or consider another increase if inflation remains persistent.
If Tuesday’s inflation report shows that price pressures are easing, investors could become more confident that monetary policy will eventually become less restrictive.
However, a stronger-than-expected CPI reading could increase bond yields and put renewed pressure on growth stocks, particularly companies with substantial financing requirements.
The market’s reaction will likely depend on both headline inflation and the details of underlying price increases.
Investors can find the release schedule on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Monday’s rally provides a positive start to the trading week, but several important risks remain.
First, Nvidia’s board investigation introduces additional uncertainty for one of the most influential companies in the global stock market. Investors will be watching for developments that could affect leadership stability or semiconductor export policy.
Second, Tuesday’s inflation report could reshape expectations for interest rates. The relationship between oil prices, inflation, and borrowing costs will remain especially important for technology and infrastructure companies.
Third, earnings season is approaching its final stages, but several important reports remain.
Investors will be watching Take-Two Interactive ($TTWO), which reports Monday after the market closes. Its results arrive just ten days before the scheduled November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, making the company’s financial outlook particularly important for gaming investors.
Rocket Lab ($RKLB) will also report results, with investors looking for updates on launch activity, customer demand, and progress toward its Neutron rocket program.
Finally, the broader market will continue evaluating whether the AI infrastructure investment cycle can maintain its momentum despite rising financing costs and increased regulatory scrutiny.
The stock market news for November 9, 2026, reflects a significant recovery following last week’s technology-led selloff.
The Dow gained more than 1,000 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced as investors welcomed falling oil prices and renewed optimism surrounding diplomatic efforts with Iran.
However, Nvidia ($NVDA) remains under pressure following the announcement of an independent board investigation involving CEO Jensen Huang, creating an unusual divergence between the company and other semiconductor stocks.
Constellation Energy ($CEG) delivered strong earnings and raised its outlook, demonstrating how increasing electricity demand from AI data centers is creating opportunities for nuclear power and energy infrastructure companies.
NRG Energy ($NRG), Barrick Mining ($B), and KKR ($KKR) also delivered important financial updates, while monday.com ($MNDY) demonstrated that investors remain selective even when companies report strong quarterly results.
The next major catalyst will be Tuesday’s October inflation report, which could influence expectations for Federal Reserve policy and determine whether the stock market recovery can continue.
The central market theme is that investors are beginning to look beyond the recent AI selloff and focus on companies with strong earnings, cash flow, and exposure to long-term infrastructure demand. However, inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, and corporate governance risks remain significant factors for the rest of November.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice.