S&P 500 notches modest gain in cautious start to the week

4:18pm: Trade talk optimism

Wall Street closed Monday with modest gains, as investors kept things mostly steady ahead of a busy slate of economic data later this week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average barely budged, slipping just 1 point to finish at 42,762—essentially flat on the day. Meanwhile, the broader S&P 500 added 6 points, or 0.1%, to close at 6,006.

The standout performer was the Nasdaq Composite, which gained 61 points, or 0.3%, to end the session at 19,591, buoyed by strength in tech stocks. The Russell 2000, which tracks smaller companies, led the major indexes with a 0.6% gain, closing at 2,144, up 12 points.

A key driver for the Nasdaq’s modest advance was renewed optimism around U.S.-China trade talks, currently taking place in London. Investors appeared hopeful that progress on tariff relief or a broader deal could be within reach, lifting sentiment—especially in the tech space.

Nvidia continued its upward momentum amid ongoing investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence, while Qualcomm surged after announcing a successful acquisition. Apple also gave the sector a boost after showcasing new AI features at its annual developers conference.

All eyes now turn to upcoming inflation data and Federal Reserve commentary later this week, which could set the tone for the market heading into summer.

For now, investors seem content to wait and watch—cautiously optimistic, with tech once again leading the way.

3:40pm: Proactive news headlines

• Aftermath Silver Ltd reported final assays from its Phase 2 drilling at the Berenguela project in Peru, confirming mineralization remains open to the east.
• Power Metallic Mines Inc signed a definitive agreement to acquire 313 mineral claims near its Nisk property in Quebec from Li-FT Power.
• Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd produced 3.69 million silver equivalent ounces in Q1 2025, driven by operations in Mexico and Bolivia.
• EDM Resources Inc secured a US$58 million, 10-year gypsum offtake deal with a major Canadian wallboard manufacturer.
• Medicus Pharma submitted a product development plan to the FDA for its microneedle-based treatment for equine squamous cell carcinoma.
• Standard Uranium Ltd outlined its July 2025 exploration program for the Corvo uranium project under a three-year option deal with Aventis Energy.
• Century Lithium Corp. launched a non-brokered financing round to raise up to $5 million to advance its Angel Island lithium project in Nevada.
• Empire Metals Ltd saw shares rise 16% after producing high-purity titanium dioxide (99.25% TiO₂) from testwork at its Pitfield project in Australia.
• Petra Diamonds Limited reported US$53 million in sales from 613,682 carats of rough diamonds sold in two tenders at an average of US$86 per carat.
• Guardian Metal Resources PLC joined the Critical Minerals Forum, enhancing access to policymakers and capital to support domestic tungsten production.
• Pantheon Resources PLC appointed Tralisa Maraj as CFO and Erich Krumanocker as chief development officer, effective July 14.
• Empire Metals Ltd confirmed successful development of a 99.25% assay-grade titanium dioxide product as part of ongoing Pitfield project optimization.

3:10pm: Apple's event a 'yawner'

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) unveiled its most significant iOS redesign in over a decade at its annual WWDC event on Monday, introducing a new “Liquid Glass” interface featuring translucent visuals and smoother animations across its platforms.

But while the company showcased a range of software updates and new features like Hold Assist and Live Translation, its cautious approach to artificial intelligence drew muted investor response. A planned upgrade to Siri was delayed, and analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush called the event “a yawner,” noting a lack of major AI breakthroughs and warning that Apple may need acquisitions to accelerate its strategy.

Despite some foundational steps—such as expanded language support and new developer tools—Apple’s AI efforts remain modest compared to industry peers. 

Shares fell 1.5% after the event.

2:25pm: Stocks on the move

Sunnova Energy (NYSE:NOVA): Sunnova has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas, burdened by over $10 billion in liabilities amid weakening demand and a downturn in the rooftop solar market.

Robinhood Markets Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD): Robinhood shares fell 5.4% after the company was left out of the S&P 500 index during its latest rebalancing.

Power Metallic Mines Inc (TSX-V:PNPN, OTCQB:PNPNF): Power Metallic has agreed to acquire 313 mineral claims from Li-FT Power, expanding its holdings near the Nisk property in Quebec.

Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:WBD, ETR:J5A): Warner Bros Discovery plans to split into two publicly traded companies—Streaming & Studios and Global Networks—by mid-2026 to boost strategic focus.

Empire Metals Ltd (AIM:EEE, OTCQB:EPMLF): Empire Metals shares jumped 16% after it reported producing high-purity titanium dioxide with a 99.25% assay grade from its Pitfield project in Western Australia.

1:30pm: Warner Bros Discovery to split

Big news out of the media world: Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:WBD, ETR:J5A) announced plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies, Streaming & Studios and Global Networks, by mid-2026.

Streaming & Studios will include Warner Bros Television, Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and the HBO Max streaming platform, as well as Warner Bros Games, Tours, and studio operations in Burbank and Leavesden.

Global Networks will comprise CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, free-to-air networks in Europe, and digital assets such as Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.

Shares of WBD initally gained as much as 8% on the news before dropping off during afternoon trading.

12:45pm: Stocks extend gains

Stocks are modestly higher at midday Monday, building on last week’s positive momentum as Wall Street keeps a close watch on U.S.-China trade discussions and the latest batch of economic data.

The Dow is up 0.1%, the S&P 500 has added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq is leading the charge with a 0.5% gain.

The S&P 500 is staying close to record territory, hovering just above the 6,000 mark after recently closing above that milestone for the first time since February. Optimism around artificial intelligence and continued strength in the labor market are helping keep the index elevated. The Nasdaq’s outperformance today reflects renewed enthusiasm for AI-related names, with tech stocks once again in the spotlight.

Blue-chip stocks are up slightly, with the Dow’s modest move suggesting a more cautious but still upbeat mood among investors focused on more traditional sectors.

Attention is focused on high-level trade talks between the U.S. and China taking place in London. While no breakthroughs are expected just yet, the outcome could have important implications for global supply chains and corporate earnings. For now, investors seem to be in wait-and-see mode, hunting for new catalysts to keep the rally going—especially as expectations for near-term Fed rate cuts have dialed back.

Last week’s stronger-than-expected jobs report helped ease recession worries, giving stocks a solid boost and pushing all three major indexes into positive territory by Friday’s close. Cyclical sectors—those more tied to economic growth—have been leading the way, signaling that investors still have confidence in the broader economic picture.

11:50am: Apple sets AI course

Apple is set to kick off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) today at Apple Park in Cupertino, with analysts closely watching how the company lays out its artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap amid a slower-than-expected rollout of Apple Intelligence.

Despite skepticism from some on Wall Street, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives remains bullish, viewing WWDC as a critical inflection point. “We strongly believe this will be the start of AI monetization period of the Apple ecosystem,” Ives wrote, emphasizing that developers remain “the hearts and lungs of the Apple story.”

While no major hardware reveals are expected, Apple is anticipated to unveil new operating system updates and provide more clarity on its AI strategy, including deeper Siri integration with ChatGPT and Gemini. Ives also expects Apple to announce a partnership with Alibaba for China, potentially ahead of the iPhone 17 launch, calling it “key to the long-awaited growth catalyst in this region.”

He estimates that around 100 million of the 200 million iPhones in China are ripe for an upgrade, positioning Apple Intelligence as a driver of both U.S. and international growth.

11:05am: Markets eye trade talks

Stocks are holding steady as investors await developments from the latest round of U.S.-China trade talks, according to Chris Beauchamp, Chief Market Analyst at IG. A strong U.S. payroll report last Friday has helped lift sentiment, even as weak Chinese trade data over the weekend failed to rattle markets.

“Buoyed by Friday’s strong payroll report, markets were able to shrug off the weekend’s China trade data,” said Beauchamp. “Now investors wait to see what comes of the latest talks between the US and China.”

In addition to the trade discussions, upcoming U.S. inflation data remains a key focus for markets, with Beauchamp noting that it “still retains its power to shock.” Meanwhile, investor flows into platinum have surged, highlighting a renewed interest in the metal.

10:30am: Week ahead

Wall Street is heading into a high-stakes week, with investors closely watching renewed US-China trade talks, fresh inflation data, and a slate of key corporate events that could shape market direction following last week’s rally.

On Monday, senior US and Chinese officials—including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng—will meet in London in the latest round of negotiations aimed at resolving ongoing trade tensions. The talks come after April’s surprise trade truce, which had briefly buoyed market sentiment.

Tech will remain in focus this week, with Apple (AAPL) set to kick off its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on Monday.

Meanwhile, inflation will dominate the economic calendar, with May’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) readings due later in the week.

Rounding out the week are earnings from GameStop Corp (NYSE:GME), Oracle Corp (NYSE:ORCL, ETR:ORC), and Adobe Inc (NASDAQ:ADBE).

9.55am: Dow Jones falls at open, but Nasdaq rises

Wall Street stocks are mixed at the open. 

While the Dow Jones is down 0.2%, the S&P 500 is just above flat and the tecgh-heavy Nasdaq and small cap-weighted Russell 2000 are up 0.2% and 0.45%.

Dragging the Dow lower are falls for McDonalds, Travelers Companies and Salesforce. One of the biggest fallers on the Nasdaq 100 is Tesla, down 3%.

Warner Bros is the top riser on the S&P and Nasdaq 100 after the company said it will split its TV and streaming businesses. 

7.45am: Flat start expected for Wall Street

US stock futures were virtually flat at the start of the week, as traders waited for US-China trade talks and eyed tensions in Los Angeles as President Trump sent in troops to confront anti-deportation protesters.

Dow Jones and S&P 500 futures were up 0.1%, while those for the Nasdaq 100 were even closer to flat. 

Wall Street had ended last week on a high, with the S&P climbing 1% to finish at the 6,000 milestone – its highest level since February – as investors cheered a stronger-than-expected jobs report and easing tensions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. 

The Dow added 1.1%, the Nasdaq rose 1.2%, and the Russell 2000 jumped 1.5%.

Today, June 9, is the deadline the US Appeals Court gave the Trump administration to respond to the Court of International Trade declaring Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs an illegal use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Trade talks between the US and China also get underway in London, aiming to prevent the trade war erupting any further between the world’s two largest economies.

Strategist Patrick Munnelly at Tickmill said that markets are "attentive to developments in Los Angeles", where the President last night sent in National Guard soldiers to confront protesters who are demonstrating against his immigration policies and local deportations.

Munnelly says: "California, on its own, ranks as the world's fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan's gross domestic product, and Trump dispatched guardsmen to its largest city to address what the White House referred to as 'chaos, violence, and lawlessness'. Governor Gavin Newsom described Trump's response as 'the actions of a dictator'."

In company news, Nvidia has agreed a series of UK partnerships aimed at strengthening the country's artificial intelligence capabilities, amid rising concern that Britain is lagging behind global rivals.

The $3.5 trillion US semiconductor giant said it will work with the UK government to help businesses adopt AI and plans to support the training of 100,000 people by 2030.

Instagram owner Meta Platforms was reported to be in advanced discussions to invest around $10 billion into AI firm Scale AI, in what could become one of the largest private funding deals on record.