| U.S. stocks ended mixed Tuesday, with the Nasdaq inching higher while the Dow and S&P 500 drifted lower as investors took a more selective stance ahead of this week’s key earnings and economic reports. The Nasdaq was buoyed by renewed strength in AI and software, with Alphabet (GOOGL) gaining on upbeat cloud momentum and Palantir (PLTR) climbing after new government contract wins. The Dow lagged as industrials and consumer staples faced pressure—3M (MMM) slipped on soft margin guidance, and Coca-Cola (KO) dipped on weaker overseas sales trends. In the S&P 500, performance was uneven. Eli Lilly (LLY) ticked higher on continued weight-loss drug optimism, but CVS Health (CVS) declined following cautious pharmacy benefit guidance. Financials stayed muted as traders digested mixed regional bank results. Overall, today’s action reflected a market leaning into growth stories while trimming exposure to slower sectors, with the Nasdaq’s resilience highlighting a persistent tilt toward tech. Market Drivers: 📱Technology: Alphabet Rises, Palantir Jumps: Alphabet (GOOGL) gained after upbeat commentary on cloud adoption and AI services from enterprise clients. Palantir Technologies (PLTR) jumped following news of new U.S. defense contracts tied to data integration and intelligence solutions. 🏦 Financials: Charles Schwab Holds, Truist Slips: Charles Schwab (SCHW) traded flat as investors digested Q2 results showing steady asset flows and improved trading activity. Truist Financial (TFC) slipped after posting mixed results, with net interest income coming in below expectations. 🚗 Automotive: Stellantis Advances, Fisker Falls: Stellantis (STLA) moved higher after highlighting stronger-than-expected EV demand in Europe and announcing new manufacturing investments. Fisker (FSR) dropped following reports of delayed deliveries and renewed liquidity concerns. 🏥 Healthcare: Eli Lilly Steady, CVS Declines: Eli Lilly (LLY) held gains as excitement around its obesity treatment pipeline continued to draw investor attention. CVS Health (CVS) declined after management issued cautious guidance on pharmacy reimbursement trends. 🍔 Consumer Discretionary: Home Depot Slips, Marriott Climbs: Home Depot (HD) edged lower amid concerns about cooling demand for big-ticket home improvement items. Marriott International (MAR) climbed on strong summer travel bookings and raised RevPAR outlook for Q3. FREE BUY ALERT: 3 stocks to own for Trump’s tariff wars[ad] | 