Tesla, Inc.

Tesla's FSD, Robotaxi Expansion Seen as Key Growth Drivers After Q2 Miss, BofA Says

Tesla (TSLA) Q2 results missed expectations mainly due to weaker auto margins, but continued momentum in Full Self-Driving, or FSD, and Robotaxi deployment remains key future catalysts, BofA Securities said in a note Wednesday.Automotive gross margin came in at 16.9% versus expectations of 19.4%, impacted by lower regulatory credit revenue and lower vehicle average selling prices. Higher research and development spending, including ramp costs for the Semi, Optimus, and Cybercab programs, also pressured profitability, the firm said.The company reported record new FSD subscriptions, fleet penetration above 15%, and a 55% North America delivery attach rate. Energy Generation and Storage performed better than expected, the firm said.Tesla maintained its 2026 capital expenditure outlook of more than $25 billion, while BofA lowered its 2026 EPS estimate to $1.76 from $2.13 due to weaker auto and energy margins and higher R&D spending."Tesla continues to scale robotaxi which we think is the key focus item for investors currently," the firm said, adding that the Robotaxi service is now operating in seven markets, including six with unsupervised operations. The company has accumulated about 380,000 unsupervised Robotaxi miles without a major safety incident.BofA reiterated its buy rating and $460 price target on Tesla. The company's shares were down about 14% in the session.Price: $321.19, Change: $-52.82, Percent Change: -14.12%

Update: Morgan Stanley Adjusts Price Target on Tesla to $400 From $417 on 'Elevated Cash Burn', Maintains Equalweight Rating

(Updated to include Morgan Stanley commentary)Morgan Stanley lowered Tesla's (TSLA) price target to $400 from $417, reflecting prolonging cash burn due to accelerating capital expenditures.The heavy capital expenses cycle is necessary for he EV maker to retain its position in robotics and autonomy. However, timing for return on investment to be tangible remains unknown, resulting in a lower valuation.Tesla has an average rating of hold and mean price target of $392.39, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://finwires.com/en/contact)Price: $320.64, Change: $-53.37, Percent Change: -14.27%

Tesla's Rising Investment Viewed as Critical for Autonomy Push, Morgan Stanley Says

Tesla's (TSLA) acceleration in capital spending is a "necessary" investment to secure its leadership in autonomy and robotics, even as the heavier outlay deepens the company's cash burn. Morgan Stanley said Thursday in a report.Tesla remains positioned to lead in physical AI, though the return on investment from a prolonged spending cycle will require "patience and consistent execution," the report said.Robotaxi commentary during the company's Q2 earnings call was upbeat, though the timing of meaningful returns remains uncertain, Morgan Stanley said. Cybercab manufacturing targets are now aligned with the projected growth rate of unsupervised miles, the report said.Morgan Stanley cut its price target on Tesla stock to $400 from $417 and maintained its equalweight rating.Price: $321.90, Change: $-52.11, Percent Change: -13.93%

UBS Lowers Tesla Price Target to $385 From $442, Maintains Neutral Rating

Tesla (TSLA) has an average rating of hold and mean price target of $392.39, according to analysts polled by FactSet.Price: $326.80, Change: $-47.22, Percent Change: -12.62%

Update: Tesla Shares Fall After Q2 Adjusted Earnings Decline, Truist Cuts Price Target

(Updates to add the recent stock movement in the headline and first paragraph.)Tesla (TSLA) shares were down more than 10% in early Thursday trading after the company reported Q2 adjusted earnings late Wednesday of $0.33 per diluted share, down from $0.40 a year earlier.Analysts polled by FactSet expected $0.53.Revenue for the quarter was $28.24 billion, up from $22.50 billion a year earlier.Analysts expected $26.42 billion.Both gross and operating margins missed consensus considerably, and "more important aspects are an increase in capital investments and operating expenses related to the AI transition," according to a Truist Securities note said late Wednesday.Free cash flow turned negative in Q2, with an outflow of $1.1 billion. FCF through the remainder of 2026 will also be negative as Tesla continues to invest at levels above its operating cash flow, per the Truist note."The company posted strong revenue, but elevated R&D and capex for AI projects (FSD, Robotaxi, Cybercab, Optimus, Cortrex, and Terafab) dragged meaningfully on P&L margins and cash flow metrics," the Truist note said. "We continue to believe these investments will pave the way for TSLA's AI transition, but they will weigh on margins and cash flow for a while."Truist lowered its price target on Tesla's shares to $370 from $430, with a hold rating.Price: $334.19, Change: $-39.82, Percent Change: -10.65%

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$AMP$AZN$BETH$BITO$CNI$EEM$EETH$EXI$FAS$FAZ$GLD$IBB$IGM$IGV$IPK$IVV$IWM$IYE$IYH$IYJ$IYK$IYW$NSC$PMR$QQQ$RTH$SLV$SOXX$SPY$STM$TSLA$TTE$UNG$UNP$USO$VDC$VHT$VIS$XLE$XLF$XLI$XLK$XLP$XLV$XLY$XRT$XSD

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Thursday Amid Major Tech Stocks Sell-Off

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.6%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) retreated 0.9% in Thursday's premarket activity, as a selloff in major technology stocks follows corporate earnings.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.3%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.3% before the start of regular trading.US initial jobless claims decreased to a level of 187,000 in the employment survey week ended July 18, the lowest level since 1969, from an upwardly revised 209,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 210,000 in a survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.Weekly natural gas stocks are due to be released at 10:30 am ET, followed by the Kansas City Fed's manufacturing index for July at 11:00 am ET.In premarket action, bitcoin was down by 0.7%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.9% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated 0.04%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.02.Power Play:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) retreated 0.7%, the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.1% lower, and the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 0.4%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was up 0.1%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell by 1.9%.STMicroelectronics (STM) shares were down more than 13% in premarket activity even after the company reported higher Q2 non-GAAP earnings and revenue.Winners and Losers:ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.4%, the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 1.3%, and the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 1.8%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was 1.2% lower.Tesla (TSLA) shares fell more than 7% pre-bell after the electric vehicle manufacturer reported an unexpected year-over-year decline in its Q2 earnings, weighed down by higher operating expenses related to research and development and artificial intelligence initiatives.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) was down 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.7%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.4% higher.Ameriprise Financial (AMP) shares traded up 2% in early-hours activity after the company reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) rose 1.2%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 1.8%.TotalEnergies (TTE) stock was up more than 2% before market open after the company reported higher Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.1%, the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was 0.04% lower, and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was up 1%.Union Pacific Railroad (UNP) and Canadian National Railway (CNI) shares rose more than 1% before the opening bell after the companies signed a binding memorandum of understanding establishing a framework for CN to secure competitive access in connection with the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern (NSC). Norfolk Southern shares were 0.7% lower.Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) advanced 0.2%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 0.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) slipped 0.4%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.1% lower.AstraZeneca (AZN) stock was down more than 1% premarket following a 0.2% gain at the prior close. The company said that the European Commission approved its experimental drug, Etcamah, in combination with a CDK4/6 inhibitor, for adults with a type of breast cancer harboring an ESR1 mutation that emerges during first-line endocrine therapy, after the Phase 3 SERENA-6 trial met its primary endpoint.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil advanced by 4.3% to $90.56 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up by 1.1% to $2.96 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 4.8%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.8% higher.Gold futures for July retreated 1.5% to $4,087.80 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures were down 2.5% to $58.81 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) decreased 1.7%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 3% lower.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$GOOG$GOOGL$INTC$LMT$RTX$TMO$TMUS$TSLA$TXN

Update: US Equity Futures Drop Pre-Bell as Mid-East Conflict Expands to Potentially Include Red Sea

(Updates with economic data, recent oil price movement, world markets' overview and corporate stock movements.)US equity futures were lower pre-bell Thursday as traders considered the possibility of the Middle East conflict spreading to a new front in the Red Sea, lifting oil prices closer to the $100 mark.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.6% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 0.8%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.1% lower.The US launched attacks on Iran for the 12th consecutive day, US Central Command said in a post on X. Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have claimed they attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea for allegedly violating their announced blockade, in a potential new front for the war, according to multiple media reports.Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) Google posted higher earnings and revenue for Q2, but the company's stock dropped 5% in premarket activity as it increased its forecasted capital expenditures to as high as $205 billion.Intel (INTC) is is expected to report its Q2 earnings after the market closes. Analysts polled by FactSet expect earnings of $0.22 per share on revenue of $14.44 billion.Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 5.5% at $99.27 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 4.3% higher at $90.55 per barrel.Initial jobless claims dropped to 187,000 in the week ended July 18 from 209,000 in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 210,000 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.5% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 1.3% higher, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.3% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.5%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.8% lower in Europe's early afternoon session.In equities, Tesla (TSLA) shares fell 7.6% after the company reported an unexpected year-over-year decline in its Q2 earnings and missing analysts' consensus estimates. T-Mobile US (TMUS) stock was down 5.7% after the company posted lower-than expected Q2 revenue. Texas Instruments (TXN) shares were 4.7% lower despite the company reporting higher Q2 earnings and revenue.On the winning side, RTX (RTX) stock was up 5.9% after the company surpassed consensus estimates for Q2 adjusted earnings and net sales. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) shares rose 5% after the company reported better-than-expected fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings and revenue. Lockheed Martin (LMT) stock was 4.9% higher after the company posted a Q2 beat for earnings and sales, as well as increased its 2026 EPS outlook.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$BX$CMCSA$DECK$GOOG$GOOGL$HON$IBM$INTC$LMT$NOW$TMO$TMUS$TSLA$UNP

Stocks Fall Pre-Bell Amid Rising Middle East Tensions; Traders Parse Alphabet, Tesla Results

US equity markets were tracking in the red before the opening bell Thursday and oil prices rose amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, while investors digest the latest financial results of Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA).The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.2% each in premarket activity, while the Nasdaq was off 0.3%. The indexes ended the previous trading session mostly down.The Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen reportedly claimed attacks on two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday, raising concerns that the conflict could spread to a new front in the Middle East, CNBC reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations said Wednesday that an "unknown projectile" struck a Saudi Arabian oil tanker around 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia.West Texas Intermediate crude oil climbed 3.7% to $89.99 a barrel before the open, while Brent increased 4.4% to $98.18.The US Central Command said Wednesday its forces struck Iran for the 12th consecutive night. In a social media post, President Donald Trump vowed to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it hit Jordan's King Faisal and Prince Hassan bases with missiles and drones, claiming to have targeted US military equipment in response to recent American strikes, CNN reported Wednesday.Treasury yields were trending higher in premarket action, with the two-year rate rising 1.3 basis points to 4.32% and the 10-year rate adding 1.8 basis points to 4.68%.Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) class A and C shares were down roughly 4% each pre-bell after the Google parent announced in its second-quarter results that its capital expenditure doubled year over year. Tesla's stock dropped 5.9% as the electric vehicle manufacturer recorded an unexpected year-over-year decrease in its second-quarter earnings amid higher expenses related to research and development and artificial intelligence initiatives.ServiceNow (NOW) jumped 7.6% while IBM (IBM) edged down 0.6% early Thursday following their latest financial results.T-Mobile US (TMUS), Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), Union Pacific (UNP), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Blackstone (BX), Comcast (CMCSA) and Honeywell International (HON) are scheduled to release their quarterly earnings before the bell, among others. Intel (INTC) and Deckers Outdoor (DECK) are due to announce their results after the markets close.Thursday's economic calendar has the weekly jobless claims bulletin at 8:30 am ET, along with the Chicago Fed national activity index for June. The Kansas City Fed manufacturing index follows at 11 am.Gold fell 1.5% to $4,092 per troy ounce, while bitcoin slipped 0.2% to $65,732.

Tesla Second-Quarter Earnings Unexpectedly Decline Amid Higher R&D, AI Costs

Tesla (TSLA) shares fell early Thursday after the electric vehicle manufacturer reported an unexpected year-over-year decline in its second-quarter earnings, weighed down by higher operating expenses related to research and development and artificial intelligence initiatives.The technology giant reported adjusted earnings of $0.33 per share for the June quarter, down from $0.40 the year before, it said late Wednesday. The consensus on FactSet was for non-GAAP EPS to increase to $0.55. The stock fell 5.2% in the most recent premarket activity.Operating expenses jumped 47% on a yearly basis to $4.35 billion and rose sequentially as well. "The increase came primarily from significant research and development-related activities, including pre-production ramp costs for new products like the Semi truck, Optimus, Cybercab, and other AI initiatives, as well as the appreciation for an additional compute that we brought online," Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja said during an earnings call, according to a FactSet transcript.Elevated research and development and capital expenditures for AI projects "dragged meaningfully" on profit and loss margins and cash flow metrics, Truist Securities said in an emailed client note. However, the brokerage believes these investments will "pave the way" for the EV maker's AI transition.Tesla anticipates its operating costs to continue to grow this year and beyond, mainly driven by research and development, as part of its ongoing investment cycle, Taneja said.The auto manufacturer ended the quarter with a negative free cash flow as capital expenditures "more than doubled" from the previous three-month period, Taneja said on the call. The company continues to expect its capital expenditures to be at over $25 billion this year, the CFO added.Tesla's free cash flow is expected to remain negative through the rest of 2026 as the company continues to invest at levels exceeding its operating cash flow, Truist said in its note."(Capital expenditures) will grow for the next two or three years as we expand our Robotaxi fleet, expand our production capacity for Optimus, make investments for semiconductor fab, install solar manufacturing capacity and AI compute infrastructure in addition to all the other expansions we'll do for other manufacturing for automotive," Taneja told analysts.Revenue advanced to $28.24 billion from $22.5 billion in the second quarter, topping the Street's view for $27.28 billion. Automotive revenue climbed 23% to $20.52 billion, while the energy generation and storage segment gained 13% to $3.14 billion. Services and other revenue jumped 50% to $4.58 billion.Earlier this month, Tesla said it delivered 480,126 vehicles in the second quarter, up 25% year over year. The company ended the quarter with its "largest order backlog" since 2023 and plans to increase production at all of its facilities to meet rising demand, Taneja said on the Wednesday call.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$GOOG$GOOGL$TSLA

Update: US Equity Indexes Fall as Treasury Yields, Crude Oil Gains Reflect Concern Over Widening Disruption to Energy Supplies

(Updates with index/price moves and company/geopolitical news from the first paragraph.)US equity indexes fell on Wednesday as government bond yields followed crude oil prices higher amid concern that disruption to energy supplies is likely to both extend and expand in the Middle East.The Nasdaq Composite declined 0.6% to 25,690.90, with the S&P 500 down 0.1% to 7,498.96, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average leaned slightly lower to 52,218.58. Communication services and consumer discretionary led decliners while utilities and energy topped the gainers.Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA), both a part of the so-called Magnificent-7 group of stocks with a significant index sway, reported after the bell on Wednesday.Alphabet reported Q2 earnings of $9.11 per diluted share, up from $2.31 a year earlier. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $2.88. Revenue for the three months ended June 30 was $119.80 billion, up from $96.43 billion a year earlier. Analysts expected $117.06 billion.Tesla reported Q2 adjusted earnings of $0.33 per diluted share, versus $0.40 a year ago. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $0.53. Sales for the quarter were $28.24 billion, up from $22.50 billion a year earlier. Analysts expected $26.42 billion.In geopolitical news, the US plans to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant, including those in and around Tehran, every time it attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday. US Central Command has struck Iran for 11 consecutive nights to degrade the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps' ability to attack maritime traffic in the chokepoint to about a fifth of global crude oil and gas flows.Meanwhile, seven tankers have changed course in the Red Sea to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since the Houthis' threat on Tuesday to block Saudi oil exports, Reuters reported. The Iran-aligned Houthis have reportedly completed preparations to target vessels near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed due to tensions between the US and Iran."Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. "Those who contribute to such aggression, whatever the kind of support, will also be considered as legitimate targets."The front-month US West Texas Intermediate climbed 2.5% to $86.41 a barrel, and global benchmark North Sea Brent jumped 3% to $93.75 a barrel.US Treasury yields rose, extending gains from Tuesday. The 10-year marched 3.1 basis points higher to 4.66%, its strongest level in a month. The two-year jumped 4.3 basis points to 4.3% after yields hit the highest in 52 weeks.Markets are pricing in a more hawkish path for central banks, with yields moving higher around the world as a result, a Deutsche Bank note said, referring to the recent moves in real yields.Next week, the probability of the Federal Reserve leaving its policy unchanged for July slumped to 66% from 89% a week ago, the CME FedWatch tool showed Wednesday. The likelihood of a pause continuing across September, October, and December also declined.In precious metal markets, gold futures jumped 1.5% to $4,136.1, and silver futures advanced 1.5% to $59.98.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$ALK$CSX$GOOG$GOOGL$IBM$NOW$SMCI$TSLA$TXN

Update: Equities Mostly Lower as Oil Prices Extend Rally

(Updates with market moves at the end of the day.)US equity benchmarks ended mostly lower Wednesday ahead of key earnings releases, while oil prices headed for their fourth consecutive day of gains.The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.6% to 25,690.90, while the S&P 500 edged down 0.1% to 7,498.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed at 52,218.58. Among sectors, communication services led the laggards, while utilities paced the gainers.Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla (TSLA) released their quarterly earnings after the closing bell.Texas Instruments (TXN), IBM (IBM), ServiceNow (NOW) and CSX (CSX) were also scheduled to release their results after market close.West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 2.5% at $86.41 a barrel in Wednesday late-afternoon trade, while Brent advanced 3% to $93.76. Brent briefly traded above $95 earlier Wednesday amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.In a social media post Wednesday, US President Donald Trump vowed to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it hit Jordan's King Faisal and Prince Hassan bases with missiles and drones, claiming to have targeted US military equipment in response to recent American strikes, CNN reported. The US Central Command said Tuesday it struck Iran for the 11th consecutive evening.More tankers changed course in the Red Sea Wednesday following threats by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis to attack vessels using Saudi Arabian ports, BBC and Reuters reported.Treasury yields were higher, with the two-year rate up 4.5 basis points at 4.31% and the 10-year rate rising 3.3 basis points to 4.66%.In corporate news, shares of Super Micro Computer (SMCI) jumped nearly 20%, the best performer on the S&P 500. The company said in a preliminary business update late Tuesday that it received more than $60 billion in new orders during its fiscal fourth quarter. It raised the gross margin outlook for the period.Alaska Air (ALK) fell 2.4% as the airline late Tuesday issued a downbeat third-quarter earnings outlook and swung to a second-quarter loss.Gold was up 1.5% at $4,135.60 per troy ounce, while silver gained 1.4% to $59.92 per ounce.

Japan7d ago

Update: US Equity Indexes Mixed as Crude Oil Jumps While Investors Await Alphabet, Tesla's Earnings

(Updates with index/price moves and company/geopolitical news from the first paragraph.)US equity indexes traded mixed as government bond yields followed crude oil prices higher and investors awaited quarterly results from mega-caps Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA).The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3% to 25,756.3 ahead of Wednesday's close. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% to 7,507.8, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average leaned slightly higher to 52,254.6.Alphabet and Tesla, both a part of the so-called Magnificent-7 group of stocks with a significant index sway, will report after the bell on Wednesday.In geopolitical news, the US will destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant, including those in and around Tehran, every time it attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying "our defense doctrine is clear: eye for an eye.""Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response," he posted on Wednesday. "Those who contribute to such aggression, whatever the kind of support, will also be considered as legitimate targets."Seven tankers have changed course in the Red Sea to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since the Houthis' threat on Tuesday to block Saudi oil exports, Reuters reported. The Iran-aligned Houthis have reportedly completed preparations to target vessels near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed due to tensions between the US and Iran.The front-month US West Texas Intermediate climbed 3.1% to $86.97 a barrel, and global benchmark North Sea Brent jumped 3.5% to $94.22 a barrel.US Treasury yields rose, extending gains from Tuesday. The 10-year marched 3.1 basis points higher to 4.66%, its strongest level in a month. The two-year jumped 4.1 basis points to 4.3% after yields hit the highest in 52 weeks.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$GOOG$GOOGL$TSLA

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$ALK$CSX$GOOG$GOOGL$IBM$NOW$SMCI$TSLA$TXN

Update: Equities Mixed Intraday as Traders Await Alphabet, Tesla Results

(Updates with latest market prices and developments.)US benchmark equity indexes were mixed intraday ahead of earnings releases from technology giants Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) and Tesla (TSLA), while oil prices advanced further.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3% at 52,372.4 after midday Wednesday, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.2% to 7,520.4. The Nasdaq Composite ticked down 0.1% to 25,812.3. Among sectors, utilities paced the gainers, while consumer discretionary saw the steepest decline.Google parent Alphabet and electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla are scheduled to report their quarterly earnings after the markets close, along with Texas Instruments (TXN), IBM (IBM), ServiceNow (NOW) and CSX (CSX).West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 2.4% at $86.32 a barrel intraday, while Brent advanced 2.7% to $93.47. Both benchmarks were on track for their fourth consecutive day of gains, with Brent briefly trading above $95 earlier Wednesday amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.In a social media post Wednesday, US President Donald Trump vowed to destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacks ships in the Strait of Hormuz.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it hit Jordan's King Faisal and Prince Hassan bases with missiles and drones, claiming to have targeted US military equipment in response to recent American strikes, CNN reported. The US Central Command said Tuesday it struck Iran for the 11th consecutive evening.Four more tankers changed course in the Red Sea Wednesday following threats by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis to attack vessels using Saudi Arabian ports, Reuters reported.Treasury yields were higher intraday, with the two-year rate up 3.7 basis points at 4.3% and the 10-year rate rising 1.8 basis points to 4.65%.In corporate news, shares of Super Micro Computer (SMCI) jumped nearly 24% intraday, the best performer on the S&P 500. The company said in a preliminary business update late Tuesday that it received more than $60 billion in new orders during its fiscal fourth quarter. It raised the gross margin outlook for the period.Alaska Air (ALK) slumped 5.3% as the airline late Tuesday issued a downbeat third-quarter earnings outlook and swung to a second-quarter loss.Gold was up 1.8% at $4,151.20 per troy ounce, while silver gained 2% to $60.30 per ounce.