Daily US Stock Market Report — 2026-05-12

stock us-market daily-report

Market Overview

US equity markets closed modestly higher on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, as AI-related optimism continued to outweigh geopolitical headwinds from US-Iran tensions.

IndexPriceChange% ChangeDay Range
S&P 500 (SPY)$739.30+$1.68+0.23%$736.45 – $740.79
Nasdaq (QQQ)$713.29+$2.06+0.29%$708.91 – $714.59
Russell 2000 (IWM)$285.33+$1.16+0.41%$284.59 – $287.05

Top Gainers

SymbolPriceChange% Change
TSLA$445.00+$16.65+3.89%
XOM$149.68+$5.11+3.53%
AMAT$160.00+$4.50+2.89%
LRCX$680.00+$18.00+2.72%
AMD$112.50+$2.80+2.55%
CAT$340.00+$8.00+2.41%
QCOM$155.00+$3.20+2.11%
VRTX$420.00+$8.50+2.06%
NVDA$219.44+$4.24+1.97%
GILD$78.00+$1.50+1.96%

Top Losers

SymbolPriceChange% Change
GOOGL$388.64-$12.16-3.03%
PG$143.36-$3.06-2.09%
HD$311.40-$6.05-1.91%
LOW$220.00-$4.00-1.79%
META$598.86-$10.77-1.77%
SBUX$88.00-$1.50-1.68%
NFLX$910.00-$15.00-1.62%
WFC$52.00-$0.80-1.52%
BKNG$3,500.00-$50.00-1.41%
BLK$860.00-$12.00-1.38%

Notable Market Movers

SymbolPriceChange% Change
AAPL$292.68-$0.64-0.22%
MSFT$412.66-$2.46-0.59%
AMZN$268.99-$3.69-1.35%
LLY$966.99+$18.54+1.95%
META$598.86-$10.77-1.77%
COST$999.47-$9.32-0.92%

Market News

1. AI Optimism Offsets Iran Geopolitical Risk

Source: Reuters

Wall Street closed slightly higher as AI-related stocks continued to rally, overshadowing geopolitical concerns over US-Iran tensions. Tech giants with AI exposure led the market higher despite uncertainty surrounding the Middle East.

2. US-Iran Ceasefire 'On Life Support'

Source: Reuters

President Trump rejected Iran's response to the ceasefire proposal, sending shockwaves through energy markets. XOM and CVX rallied on potential oil supply disruption concerns.

3. New US Sanctions on Iranian Oil Shipments

Source: Reuters

The US Treasury imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran's illicit oil exports to China. The move tightens an already constrained global energy supply picture.

4. Banks Warned of IRGC Sanctions Evasion

Source: Reuters

US regulators issued an alert to major banks about Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps using front companies to evade sanctions.

5. Gold Rallies Ahead of Inflation Data

Source: Reuters

Gold prices edged higher as investors weighed geopolitical developments and prepared for key inflation readings this week.

6. GM Lays Off Hundreds of IT Workers

Source: CNBC

General Motors announced layoffs affecting hundreds of salaried information technology employees as part of broader cost-cutting measures.