Optimism Prevailed On Wall Street as Investors Overlook Inflation and Geopolitical Risks

Barry Adams
20 May, 2026
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street rebounded, crude oil prices eased, and bond yields inched lower ahead of key tech earnings. 

The S&P 500 Index increased 0.3%, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7%, and the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged lower to 4.64%. 

In the year so far, the S&P 500 index has soared more than 7%, and the Nasdaq Composite has advanced 11.2% as investors look through geopolitical tensions and inflation fears. 

The sharp rise in crude oil prices has stoked overall inflation, and the price hikes are rippling through the economy to other sectors, including transportation, fertilizers, and food. 

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury notes stayed above 4.65% and hovered at a high last seen in January 2024.

Investors are increasingly factoring in at least two rate hikes before the end of this year, as the prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz keeps 19% of energy products from global markets. 

 

U.S. Movers 

Nvidia Corp. increased 1.4% to $223.75 ahead of the advanced chipmaker's quarterly results after the close on Wednesday. 

Lowe's Companies declined 2.1% to $213.79 despite the home improvement retailer reporting better-than-expected earnings in the fiscal first quarter ending in April. 

Total sales in the quarter increased to $23.0 billion from $20.9 billion, net income edged down to $1.63 billion from $1.64 billion, and diluted earnings per share inched lower to $2.90 from $2.92 a year ago. 

Comparable sales for the quarter increased 0.6%, driven by a 15.5% rise in online sales and 'continued strength in appliances, home services, and the professional segment.' 

Lowe's reaffirmed its 2026 total sales to range between $92.0 billion and $94.0 billion, an increase between 7% and 9% from a year ago. 

The company estimated a net interest expense of $1.6 billion, diluted earnings per share to range between $12.25 and $12.75, and capital expenditures of up to $2.5 billion. 

Target Corp. increased by 0.4% to $127.80 after the retailer reported its financial results for the fiscal first quarter ending in April. 

Net sales increased 6.7% to $25.4 billion from $23.8 billion, net income decreased 24.6% to $781 million from $1.04 billion, and diluted earnings per share dropped 24.5% to $1.71 from $2.27 a year ago. 

Comparable traffic increased 4.4%; digital sales rose 8.9%, led by a 27% surge in the same-day delivery business segment. 

The company hiked its 2026 sales growth estimate to 4% compared to 2025, two percentage points higher than the previous estimated range. 

The retailer also estimated GAAP and adjusted earnings per share near the high end of the previous guidance range between $7.50 and $8.50. 

CAVA Group soared 7.5% to $84.00 after the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain operator revised higher its estimate of adjusted annual earnings. 

Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending on April 19 rose 32.2% to $434.4 million from $328.5 million, net income declined to $23.6 million from $25.7 million, and diluted earnings per share eased to 20 cents from 22 cents a year ago. 

The fast-casual restaurant chain operator hiked its 2026 same-store sales growth range to between 4.5% and 6.5% from between 3% and 5%.

The company increased its 2026 adjusted operating income range to between $176 million and $184 million from $181 million and $191 million.