Major Indexes Nab 2nd-Straight Record Closes

All three major benchmarks scored record closes today, extending last week's gains to land their fifth-straight wins. The Dow closed up over 82 points, while the S&P 500 landed modestly in the black, and the Nasdaq just barely eked out a gain, as investors look toward a week packed with Big Tech earnings. 

New home sales dropped to a pandemic-era low in June, falling 6.6% to an annual rate of 676,000. Meanwhile, U.S.-China tensions are heating up, after criticisms were exchanged in a diplomatic meeting between China's Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Investors are also eyeing a surge in bitcoin above the $40,000 level, amid Amazon's cryptocurrency rumors. 

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• A look at TSLA ahead of today's earnings.
• What investors are expecting for MMM before its quarterly report. 
• Plus, Schaeffer's top gaming sector stock; sales dip weighs on LMT; and CHKP's upbeat report. 

The Dow Jones Average (DJI - 35,144.31) rose 82.8 points, or 0.2%. Of the 30 Dow components, Dow Inc (DOW) was at the top of the list today, adding 3.2%, while Amgen (AMGN) landed at the bottom of the list with a 1.1% drop. 

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 4,422.30) gained 10.5 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC - 14,840.71) tacked on 3.7 points, or 0.03%.

Lastly, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX - 17.58) added 0.4 point, or 2.2%.

1.  The Olympic games have become a polarizing subject in Japan, and Tokyo could lose billions due to the lack of fans. (Marketwatch)
2. Starting August 2, California will require all state employees to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or face mandatory weekly testing. (CNBC)
3. Why this gaming sector underdog could be the perfect pick for bulls. 
4. Million-dollar loss on a "classified" project sends aerospace stock lower. 
5. Behind this cybersecurity name's earnings beat. 

Oil, Gold Start Week Off With Losses

Oil prices snapped a four-day win streak today, as investors continue to weigh supply/demand. September-dated crude fell 16 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $71.91 a barrel.

Gold futures finished at their lowest price in nearly three weeks, ahead of the  Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) two-day policy meeting, starting tomorrow. August-dated gold lost $2.60, or 0.1%, to settle at $1,799.20 an ounce -- putting it below the significant $1,800 level.