If you’re checking your portfolio right now, you’ve probably noticed something odd: nothing is moving. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the major U.S. exchanges—the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq—are closed for the weekend.
But honestly, saying the market isn't "performing" today is a bit of a lie. While the big ticker boards in Times Square are dark, the gears of the global financial system are grinding away in the background. From weekend crypto swings to the opening of Asian markets like the Nifty in India and the Nikkei in Tokyo, "today" is actually when the stage is set for a massive week on Wall Street.
How Did the Stock Market Perform Today? The Weekend Reality Check
Since the U.S. markets are closed, we have to look at the "closing bell" from Friday to see where we’re standing. Most of us are still riding the wave of a pretty weird week.
Last Friday, the S&P 500 basically coasted, closing at 6,940.01, which was a tiny dip of about 0.06%. It’s not a crash, but it’s definitely not a victory lap either. The Nasdaq Composite followed a similar script, ending at 23,515.40.
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Why does this matter for your Sunday? Because even though the price is frozen, the sentiment is shifting. We’re currently in the middle of a seventh historical bull market since 1990. The Nasdaq has already surged about 54% since this run started back in April 2025. When people ask "how did the stock market perform today," they usually want to know if the bubble is popping. So far, the answer is a cautious "not yet."
The Friday Final Scores (For Context)
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Ended at 49,359.30 (down about 83 points).
- S&P 500: Settled at 6,940.01 (a negligible 0.06% drop).
- Nasdaq Composite: Finished at 23,515.40 (down 14 points).
What’s Actually Happening While You’re at Brunch
While you're probably not trading Apple or Nvidia on a Sunday, the world doesn't stop. Overseas, the Nifty 50 in India just closed its week relatively flat at 25,694.35. Traders over there are looking at a "bearish gravestone doji"—basically a technical pattern that looks like a tombstone and suggests things might get rocky soon.
There's also some real-world drama bubbling over. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are keeping energy traders awake today. If you see the price of oil jump on your news feed tonight, that’s going to dictate exactly how the Dow opens tomorrow morning. Plus, Donald Trump’s administration has been making noise about a 10% cap on credit card interest rates, which sent stocks like Synchrony Financial and Capital One into a tailspin late last week. That "performance" is still lingering in the air today.
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The AI Heavyweights: Still the Only Game in Town?
You can't talk about market performance in 2026 without mentioning the "Big Three." Nvidia is still the king of the hill with a market cap sitting around $4.55 trillion. It’s wild to think that just a few years ago, we thought a $1 trillion valuation was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Alphabet (Google) actually reclaimed the #2 spot recently, hitting $4.02 trillion. They’ve been aggressively rolling out new AI shopping features with Walmart, which helped Walmart’s stock jump 3% this past week. Microsoft and Apple are still hovering in that $3.4 trillion to $3.8 trillion range, but they’ve been a bit more volatile lately. Billionaire Peter Thiel actually swapped his Nvidia and Tesla shares for Microsoft and Apple recently—a move that’s got a lot of people scratching their heads, considering Apple’s AI strategy has felt a little "kinda-sorta" lately.
Why Tomorrow Might Be a Rollercoaster
If you're asking about today's performance, you're likely bracing for tomorrow's open. Here’s the deal: this coming week is Earnings Heavy. We’re talking about over 230 companies reporting their Q3 results.
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- The Tech Giants: Everyone is waiting to see if the massive AI spending is actually turning into profit or if it's just one giant hardware bill.
- The Fed Factor: Jerome Powell’s term is winding down (expires May 2026), and there’s a massive rift in the Federal Reserve. Some want to keep cutting rates because the job market looks "crackly," while others are terrified of inflation coming back.
- The "K-Shaped" Reality: Honestly, the market is split. Tech and Healthcare are winning big, but Utilities and Real Estate are getting crushed.
Actionable Steps for Your Sunday Night
Instead of just refreshing a dead ticker, here’s how you can actually prepare for when the bells ring tomorrow:
- Check the Yields: Keep an eye on the 10-year Treasury yield. It’s sitting around 4.18%. If that starts creeping toward 4.25% tonight in the futures market, expect tech stocks to take a hit tomorrow.
- Watch the "Futures": Around 6:00 PM EST, "futures" trading starts. This is the first real look at how the market will perform "today" (technically for tomorrow's session). If S&P futures are red, you might want to hold off on any big "buy the dip" moves.
- Review Your "AI Exposure": If 80% of your portfolio is just Nvidia and Microsoft, you’re not diversified; you’re just betting on a single industry. Look at Consumer Staples or Financials, which have been surprisingly resilient lately.
- Listen for the Fed: Any "leaked" comments or Sunday morning talk show appearances by Fed officials will move the needle.
The market might be "closed," but the money never really sleeps. Use this quiet Sunday to breathe, look at the big picture, and remember that even though the Nasdaq is up 54% in a year, nothing goes up in a straight line forever. Diversify, stay skeptical of the hype, and get ready for a busy Monday.