--- title: "Stock Market Today: July 28, 2020" description: The stock market started the trading week on a positive note, as earnings data began to flow in, and trader sentiment about the economy and the coronavirus improved. Looking to the day ahead, the U.S. equity futures were mixed overnight and are now pointing to a lower opening. However, we imagine earnings news will drive stock market performance today. image: https://investor.valueline.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/iStock_000006488152XSmall-443.jpg --- [![The Value Line Blog](https://investor.valueline.com/hubfs/VL%20Blog%20Images/vl_blog_header.png)](https://investor.valueline.com/blog) [Stock Market Today](https://investor.valueline.com/blog/topic/stock-market-today) # Stock Market Today: July 28, 2020 July 28, 2020 ### **Before The Bell** The stock market started positively yesterday, as earnings data began to flow in, and trader sentiment about the economy and the coronavirus improved. COVID cases began to stabilize or even slow in states that have recently had higher infection rates. And news slowly trickled in about potential stimulus packages from the U.S. Congress. The indices trended higher throughout the day and ended near their session highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up by nearly 115 points; the S&P 500 rose 24 points, and the NASDAQ increased by 173 points. A significant outperformance in technology stocks occurred, which make up a more substantial portion of the NASDAQ. On the other hand, safe-haven utility equities were among the weakest performers on the day. Moreover, the advance was broad, as advancers outpaced decliners by a 1.7-to-1.0 ratio. However, the futures markets gave back a portion of the rise that occurred late in the session and turned negatively after the close yesterday. This move to the downside continued for a few hours before the futures reversed course alongside positive action in the markets in Asia. Still, this positivity was short-lived, and the futures again moved lower throughout the night. Currently, the markets are decidedly in the red, suggesting a weak start to the trading day. In commodity news, oil prices were slightly higher yesterday as sentiment improved in the energy markets. Meantime, gold reached a record high yesterday, as traders moved into the commodity, given uncertain economic outlooks and the potential for dollar devaluation through higher debt loads and added stimulus. Silver prices also followed suit, reaching about $24 per ounce. U.S. Treasury bond yields were uneven, with some yields moving higher and others lower. Still, most of these moves were small. Lastly, the VIX Volatility Index declined yesterday, as demand for options protection fell. On the economic front, the Richmond Fed's Manufacturing Survey and Consumer Confidence for July are on the docket. All eyes will be on earnings today, as a large number of companies will report quarterly results. These include Dow-30 components McDonald's ([MCD](https://research.valueline.com/research#sec=company&sym=MCD)), Pfizer ([PFE](https://research.valueline.com/research#list=recent&sec=company&sym=pfe)), 3M ([MMM](https://research.valueline.com/research#list=recent&sec=company&sym=mmm)), and Raytheon Technologies ([RTX](https://research.valueline.com/research#list=recent&sec=company&sym=rtx)) before the bell and Visa ([V](https://research.valueline.com/research#list=recent&sec=company&sym=v)) after the market closes. Many other significant names will also post earnings, and these will give some insight into how the coronavirus-related shutdowns impacted the broader economy during the second quarter. Overall, we think that earnings outcomes will drive stock market performance today. Finally, among the companies already reporting, a weak showing by McDonald’s has contributed to the current decline in the futures. – John E. Seibert III *At the time of this article’s writing, the author held positions in one or more of the companies mentioned.* [![Register now for our free One Stock to Buy webinar](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2532383/5a80130b-f0ce-4bd8-acbd-f077f2232ec5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2532383/5a80130b-f0ce-4bd8-acbd-f077f2232ec5) ### Popular Posts Search Search Blog ### Topics - [Investing 101 (2)](https://investor.valueline.com/blog/topic/investing-101) - [Market Commentary (37)](https://investor.valueline.com/blog/topic/market-commentary) - [Stock Highlights (390)](https://investor.valueline.com/blog/topic/stock-highlights) - [Stock Market Today (2071)](https://investor.valueline.com/blog/topic/stock-market-today) Copyright 2026 Value Line, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factual material is obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is provided without warranties of any kind. VALUE LINE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS HEREIN OR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES ARISING FROM ANY USE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. This blog is strictly for subscriber's own, non-commercial, internal use. No part of it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any printed, electronic or other form, or used for generating or marketing any printed or electronic publication, service or product. Officers, directors, or employees of Value Line, Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and EULAV Asset Management, may own stocks that are featured in this email. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer to buy or sell securities or to give individual investment advice. Value Line, the Value Line logo, The Most Trusted Name in Investment Research, “Smart research. Smarter investing.”, The Value Line Investment Survey, Timeliness, and Safety are trademarks or registered trademarks of Value Line, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries.