Dow Jones to lead Wall Street higher as United Health earnings impress

• UnitedHealth reported earnings that beat expectations despite being lower than last year, while defense stocks GE Aerospace, RTX, and Northrop Grumman posted mixed but generally positive results
• Oil markets remain steady as Iran reportedly has not sent a delegation to Pakistan for proposed peace talks, with uncertainty over whether US Vice President JD Vance will arrive for Wednesday negotiations
• Kevin Warsh's Senate confirmation hearing is expected to emphasize central bank independence while acknowledging that political input on interest rates will not compromise Fed autonomy

Market Summary: Dow Jones Set to Rise on Strong Healthcare Earnings

Market Overview:

US stocks are poised for a higher open on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, with Dow Jones futures up 0.6%, S&P 500 futures gaining 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures rising 0.5%. This follows Monday's pullback from record levels, where the Nasdaq fell 0.3% to 24,404, the S&P 500 declined 0.2% to 7,109, and the Dow Jones closed nearly flat at 49,443.

Key Corporate Earnings:

UnitedHealth delivered better-than-expected results despite lower year-over-year earnings, driving positive sentiment. Defense and aerospace companies also reported:

• GE Aerospace: EPS of $1.86 versus $1.81 expected, though full-year guidance came in slightly below expectations
• RTX Corporation: Beat estimates with $1.78 EPS versus $1.52 expected and raised full-year outlook
• Northrop Grumman and 3M also reported

Geopolitical Concerns:

Oil prices remain steady amid uncertainty over US-Iran peace talks scheduled in Pakistan ahead of Wednesday's ceasefire deadline. Iranian state media reports no delegation has departed yet, raising doubts about whether talks will proceed. Markets await potential arrival of US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad.

Federal Reserve Focus:

Investors will monitor the Senate confirmation hearing for Fed chair-designate Kevin Warsh. He is expected to emphasize central bank independence while addressing political commentary on interest rates.

Market Implications:

Defense sector earnings strength and geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran continue to influence market direction, with oil markets poised for volatility based on diplomatic developments.