Stock Market Today: Dow Surges as Trump Highlights Rare Earth Deal; Robinhood Slumps While Palantir Shines
February 2, 2026 – Updated 4:26 PM ET
The U.S. stock market rallied strongly on Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average leading the charge, climbing 515 points—or 1.1%—despite notable setbacks among some blue-chip names. The boost came in part due to President Donald Trump spotlighting a significant deal involving rare earth minerals, igniting investor interest and sending related stocks higher.
Major Indexes Advance amid Mixed Performances
The Dow’s gain stood out as it overcame pressure from individual stocks such as Walt Disney (DIS), which dipped more than 7% following weak earnings guidance. Other influential players like Oracle (ORCL), Tesla (TSLA), and Palantir Technologies (PLTR) also moved markets, with Palantir garnering particular attention after reporting earnings that beat expectations.
Meanwhile, Robinhood experienced a sharp decline in its stock price, contrasting sharply with the broader market’s positive momentum. The reasons behind Robinhood’s plunge have not been detailed, but the divergence underscores the uneven nature of the day’s trading.
Trump’s Deal Spurs Rare Earth Stocks Rally
President Trump’s recent focus on a deal related to rare earth elements helped lift this traditionally volatile segment of the market. Rare earth minerals, critical for a range of high-tech and defense applications, have drawn heightened strategic interest amid global supply chain concerns. Stocks within this sector experienced notable gains, contributing to the overall market strength.
Palantir Soars on Earnings Beat
Among high-profile gainers, Palantir Technologies stood out, surging late in the session after releasing a solid earnings report surpassing analysts’ estimates. The company’s stronger-than-expected financial results reversed some bearish sentiment and helped lift upcoming quarters’ prospects.
Sector Highlights and Other Movers
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Walt Disney (DIS): Shares declined sharply due to disappointing earnings guidance and concerns over ongoing leadership changes. The entertainment giant’s results stirred investor caution in the media sector.
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Tesla (TSLA): Tesla shares contributed to the day’s bullishness but faced ongoing headwinds amid increasing competition in the electric vehicle market, notably from domestic Chinese rivals experiencing sales softness.
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Oracle (ORCL): Oracle also gained traction as the enterprise software giant continues to perform steadily amid broader tech sector gains.
Broader Market Themes and Upcoming Events
The market’s positive start to February was fueled by fresh optimism around corporate earnings and geopolitical developments, including strategic partnerships in technology and energy sectors.
Investors watching the tech universe noted the upcoming merger between SpaceX and xAI, as confirmed by Elon Musk, which promises further innovation and market impact in AI-driven space technologies.
Looking forward, Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) encourages traders to consider joining upcoming educational events such as the Virtual Trading Summit on February 7th to refine their market tactics.
Summary
Monday’s trading session highlighted a robust Dow rally fueled by policy news and strong corporate earnings, even as volatility persisted among individual stocks. While Disney faced setbacks and Robinhood stock fell sharply, Palantir and rare earth minerals-related companies captured investor enthusiasm.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this report is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please conduct your own research or consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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