Nasdaq Composite Captures Gains From Big Tech Revival and Easing Mideast Tensions

By Gerelyn Terzo Published Apr 22, 9:38AM EDT

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Google (GOOGL) launched new AI agent tools including its Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform with Memory Bank and Memory Profile features, while expanding its Salesforce partnership to enable AI agents to execute end-to-end workflows across both platforms.
Geopolitical relief from Trump’s Iran ceasefire extension is lifting risk appetite across markets, though elevated oil prices and continued Strait of Hormuz attacks suggest caution, while Tesla’s earnings announcement will set the tone for Nasdaq momentum.
Palantir (PLTR) secured a $300 million USDA contract to support the National Farm Security Action Plan, with government revenue already up 66% year-over-year in Q4 2025. Tesla (TSLA) reports Q1 2026 earnings after the bell with consensus expectations for $22.3B revenue and a cautious outlook on margins and delivery guidance.

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Nasdaq Composite Captures Gains From Big Tech Revival and Easing Mideast Tensions — © Bigc Studio / Shutterstock.com

The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) is higher out of the gate on Wednesday, with geopolitical relief lifting risk appetite. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq all declined roughly 0.6% on Tuesday amid uncertainty around Iran peace talks. Overnight, President Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire with Iran while maintaining a naval blockade until Tehran presents a unified proposal, stabilizing equity markets. The Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) is tracking gains alongside Tesla’s (Nasdaq: TSLA) upcoming earnings and a multi-facted Google AI announcement.

Google’s AI Agent Push Anchors the Bull Case

Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL | GOOGL Price Prediction) is buoying sentiment this morning. Google unveiled a suite of new tools to build AI agents aimed at helping companies automate tasks, with its Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform including new features such as Memory Bank and Memory Profile to help agents remember past interactions, plus an Agent Simulation feature to help developers test tools before launch. Google Cloud and Salesforce announced an expanded partnership designed to enable AI agents to execute end-to-end workflows across both platforms by solving the long-standing challenge of fragmented data and disconnected systems. Alphabet shares closed at $332 Tuesday and are up 125% over the past year.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) gets a direct lift from the Google partnership. Salesforce shares are up 9% over the past week, though down 29% year-to-date. Its Agentforce platform reported $800 million in ARR, up 169% year-over-year last quarter, and deeper Google integration could accelerate that growth.

Tesla Earnings on Deck, Expectations Are Cautious

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) reports Q1 2026 results after the bell with a cautious setup. Consensus expects revenue of roughly $22.3 billion, EPS of $0.36, gross margins around 16%, and free cash flow of negative $1.8 billion. Morgan Stanley expects a margin miss and weaker full-year delivery guidance, with deliveries projected below the roughly 1.7 million consensus estimate. Prediction markets reflect that caution. Tesla shares closed at $386 Tuesday, down 14% year-to-date but up 70% over the past year.

Palantir and Alibaba Add Depth

Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) announced a $300 million deal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support the National Farm Security Action Plan and modernize how the USDA delivers services to farmers. The contract adds to government revenue that already grew 66% year-over-year in Q4 2025. Alibaba and Tencent are in talks to invest in Chinese AI startup DeepSeek at a valuation of more than $20 billion, according to The Information. Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) shares closed at $135 Tuesday. Its cloud business grew 36% year-over-year last quarter, and a DeepSeek stake deepens its position in China’s AI race.

Oil and the Ceasefire Caveat

The ceasefire relief carries a significant caveat. Three ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday even after the ceasefire extension. Britain is hosting military planners from more than 30 countries to discuss reopening the strait. WTI crude remains elevated at roughly $101 per barrel, well above moderate range and a reminder that geopolitical risk premium has not fully unwound. The VIX is almost 19, comfortably normal after peaking at 31 in late March, suggesting cautious optimism rather than euphoria.

The session hinges on Tesla’s after-hours print. A robotaxi update or delivery guidance surprise to the upside gives the Nasdaq momentum. Morgan Stanley is expecting margin disappointment from the EV leader.

About the Author Gerelyn Terzo →

Gerelyn Terzo is the author of dividend investing handbook "Dividend Investing Strategies: How to Have Your Cake & Eat It Too." A veteran financial journalist, she covers agri-finance for outlets like Global AgInvesting and the broader stock market and personal finance for 24/7 Wall Street. She began at CNBC and later helped launch Fox Business in New York. Gerelyn currently resides in Woodland Park, Colorado and dabbles in nature photography as a hobby.