Markets Surge as Oil Collapses and Mega AI Deal Boosts Tech

U.S. stocks mounted a solid bounce to open the trading week, propelled by falling crude oil prices and a blockbuster technology deal that revitalized investor confidence in artificial intelligence. The rally comes as Wall Street prepares for a heavy wave of corporate earnings and the upcoming midterm elections. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led the gains, adding 537 points, or 1%. The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8%, recovering from last week’s sharp pullback driven by high-tech valuation concerns. Energy relief served as the primary catalyst. Global benchmark Brent crude plummeted over 6% to roughly $106 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate dropped to near $97 per barrel. The decline followed reports that Iran’s supreme leader authorized the government to engage in peace talks, significantly calming fears of regional energy supply disruptions.