---
title: "Nasdaq Climbs 1.00% as Big Bank Earnings Loom, ExxonMobil Up 1.39%"
canonical_url: https://www.stockexpertai.com/journal/2026-01-12/nasdaq-climbs-100-as-big-bank-earnings-loom-exxonmobil-up-139-3
last_updated: 2026-01-12T12:07:07.946Z
section: "Big Story"
author: "Sam Rivera"
publisher: Stock Expert AI
tickers: XOM
content_type: journal-article
---

# Nasdaq Climbs 1.00% as Big Bank Earnings Loom, ExxonMobil Up 1.39%

## The Take
- Monitor bank earnings and global economic developments closely, as these factors could introduce volatility despite the current market uptrend.

_U.S. equities edge higher, fueled by tech strength and anticipation of bank earnings reports. Energy sector sees boost despite geopolitical headwinds._

The QQQ ETF advanced 1.00% today, leading major U.S. equity indices higher. This move comes as investors anticipate earnings reports from major U.S. banks, which are expected to provide insights into the health of the American consumer and the broader economy. The SPY ETF also saw gains, rising 0.66%.

The rally in bank stocks is facing its first significant test of the year, with Wall Street's leading firms poised to report results. Market participants will be closely monitoring executive commentary for clues about economic strength. Optimism surrounding these reports is contributing to the upward momentum in the market.

Elsewhere, the energy sector is showing resilience. Despite recent news of potential challenges in Venezuela, ExxonMobil's shares (XOM) increased by 1.39%. This suggests that investors are either discounting the impact of these geopolitical factors or are optimistic about the company's ability to navigate them.

Small-cap stocks also participated in today's gains, with the IWM ETF up 0.76%. This indicates a broadening of the market rally beyond just large-cap technology companies. The DIA ETF, representing the Dow Jones Industrial Average, saw a more modest increase of 0.51%.

Internationally, South Africa is reviewing its prime rate, which could have indirect implications for U.S. markets if it leads to broader concerns about emerging market debt and financial stability. Additionally, the cryptocurrency market is reacting to reports of an investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, potentially introducing risk premia for Bitcoin.

While the market is showing positive momentum, investors should remain vigilant. The upcoming bank earnings reports and global economic developments could introduce volatility. Monitoring key indicators and company performance will be crucial in navigating the market landscape.

The focus on Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance continues to grow within the digital asset space, as evidenced by recent actions taken by cryptocurrency exchanges. This increasing regulatory scrutiny may impact investor sentiment and market dynamics.

## Related Tickers
- [XOM](https://www.stockexpertai.com/stock/xom)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Why is the Nasdaq rising today?
The Nasdaq is climbing due to anticipation surrounding upcoming earnings reports from major U.S. banks and strength in the tech sector. Investors are hoping these reports will provide positive insights into the health of the economy, fueling optimism in the market. ExxonMobil's gains also contributed to the positive sentiment.

### What factors are influencing the stock market today?
The stock market is being influenced by anticipation of bank earnings, performance of tech stocks, and the energy sector's resilience, particularly ExxonMobil. Geopolitical events and international economic developments, like South Africa's prime rate review, are also playing a role, although indirectly.

---
_AI-generated under human editorial supervision. Educational research, not financial advice._