What's Moving Markets Today? -- WSJ

By Jack Pitcher

Major stock indexes are bouncing back from Friday's declines while oil prices tumble. Here's what's moving markets today:

-- Middle East diplomacy: Brent crude futures were down around 7.5% at midday after reports that President Trump may favor diplomacy over renewed strikes on Iran, and that Iran's government is willing to engage. That helped send industrial and materials stocks sharply higher, while the energy sector fell.

-- Manufacturing data: Factory activity expanded in the U.S. for the 10th consecutive month, according to a survey of firms. Meanwhile, the number of firms reporting higher prices dropped from a month earlier. Bond yields fell, and parts of the stock market tied to the economy are outperforming.

-- Tech earnings: A series of disappointing quarterly results from big tech companies hurt shares last week. Today, all eyes are on Apple, which will report earnings under new CEO John Ternus for the first time after the close. Apple traded down about 2% ahead of the report, weighing on the tech sector more broadly.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 02, 2026 12:43 ET (17:43 GMT)