Market Updates
U.S. Stocks Lacked Direction, Investors Reacted to Quarterly Results
Barry Adams
21 Apr, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street reversed losses from the previous session as investors overlooked escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3% as investors shifted their focus to quarterly results.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf escalated after the U.S. captured an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, and Iran reasserted its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The dual blockade in the critical waterway in the Persian Gulf has disrupted the supply of energy products to China, India, Japan, South Korea, and other nations in Asia.
The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil edged down 0.9% to $86.67, and international Brent crude eased 0.8% to $94.71.
Crude oil prices remained volatile amid lingering uncertainty over the shipment of one-fifth of the world's global supply through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Movers
UnitedHealth Group soared 6% to $342.50 after the medical insurance service provider reported better-than-expected first-quarter results.
UnitedHealth said revenue increased to $111.7 billion from $109.6 billion, net income edged lower to $6.28 billion from $6.29 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $6.90 from $6.85 a year ago.
The closely watched medical benefit ratio, a measure of total medical expenses paid compared to premiums collected, improved to 83.9% from 84.8% a year ago.
Investors are awaiting results from several leading corporations, including GE Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, RTX, Danaher, 3M, and Haliburton.
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