The Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 0.4% on Monday, outperforming the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, which remained stable or decreased. Upcoming earnings from major companies like Home Depot, Nvidia, and Salesforce are driving interest in the Dow.

Concerns regarding potential new global tariffs from the Trump administration have created uncertainty in the US stock market. Tariff discussions may impact stock prices, with Alibaba and Palantir shares declining over 9% due to recent news.

Home Depot is projected to report adjusted earnings per share of $3.04 and revenue of $39.07 billion for Q4 2025. Nvidia expects adjusted EPS of $0.85 and revenue of $38.15 billion, marking substantial increases from the previous year. Salesforce anticipates adjusted EPS of $2.61 with over $10 billion in revenue.

The Dow has edged higher, taking the lead over the other major indexes, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ have struggled to maintain their footing. This suggests investors are tilting towards more traditional, established firms ahead of key earnings reports. With results expected from Home Depot, Nvidia, and Salesforce, there is growing anticipation around whether these companies can meet or exceed expectations.

Home Depot’s earnings forecast points to stable consumer demand in the home improvement sector, though the actual figures will reveal much more about broader spending patterns. If the reported revenue aligns with projections, it reinforces confidence in discretionary spending. A miss, however, may suggest customers are tightening their belts. Nvidia’s anticipated growth is hard to ignore, with revenue figures indicating that demand for advanced computing power remains strong. Should the company beat estimates, it would likely provide further momentum, especially for technology stocks. Salesforce, with its double-digit revenue, stands as another indicator of corporate investment in software solutions.

At the same time, uncertainty looms due to concerns about global trade policies. The potential for new tariffs, particularly from Washington, has already sent ripples through select stocks. Alibaba and Palantir have taken a heavy hit, falling more than 9% on the recent developments. Any additional tariff discussions or legislative signals could quickly shift sentiment across multiple sectors.

For those engaged in derivatives trading, the upcoming weeks could prove turbulent based on earnings surprises and international policy shifts. Volatility may create opportunities, but it also demands caution. With the Dow showing resilience while its counterparts falter, tracking sector-specific moves will be just as important as watching overall index trends. Keeping an eye on earnings calls, forward guidance, and any trade-related statements will be necessary to navigate the upcoming period effectively.