Major Averages Decline Amid Middle East Conflict
The major averages closed lower following a series of volatile sessions where markets have swung sharply based on headlines tied to the Middle East conflict and energy supply disruptions. Reports of fresh attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure caused intraday swings in both oil and equities once again on Wednesday.Traders also reacted to news from the U.S. Federal Reserve, which maintained the federal funds rate, saying that economic uncertainty "remains elevated" given developments in the Middle East. Of note, the Fed said the median projection for the funds rate by the end of 2026 remains at 3.4%, indicating most officials at the central bank still expect at least one quarter-point cut to interest rates this year.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:General Millsreportedand reiterated its FY26 outlookMacy'sreportedand provided guidance for FY26Lululemonreportedand provided its outlook for Q1 and FY26Compassdismissedagainst ZillowThe Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate2. WALL STREET CALLS:CitiConstellationto Buy on better beer trendsTruistBlockto Buy following 40% reduction in forceTrade Deskat Rosenblatt and Stifel amid pressures from agenciesRBC CapitalStarbucksto Sector Perform on balanced risk/rewardCF Industriesto Underperform at Mizuho3. AROUND THE WEB:Kraft Heinzand Unileverdiscussed a potential food merger, FT reportsFox Corp.and Kalshi are in talks on a partnership deal, Front Office Sports reportsMicrosoftis weighing legal action against Amazonand OpenAI over a $50B deal that may breach its exclusive cloud partnership with OpenAI, FT reportsThe U.S. government confirmed that Teslais the customer behind LG Energy Solution's $4.3B LFP battery supply deal, ending speculation since the contract was disclosed last July, Electrek saysNebiusintends to raise about $3.75B in convertible debt to use for its data center expansion and to purchase customized chips, and plans to offer the notes in two series, at $2B due in 2031 and $1.75B in 2033, Bloomberg says4. MOVERS:Ovid Therapeuticsgains after, Phase 1 clearance for OV4071, and results for Q4Nextnavand Energy VaultincreasesnVent Electrichigher in New York after updating itsGeminilower after Citithe stock to SellSailPointfalls afterand providing guidance for FY275. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Williams-Sonomaand provided guidance for FY26Spire Globaland provided guidance for Q1 and FY26Jabiland raised its guidance for FY26Weibo, with EPS missing consensusOrbit International, with EPS and revenue lower year-over-yearINDEXES:The Dow fell 768.11, or 1.63%, to 46,225.15, the Nasdaq lost 327.11, or 1.46%, to 22,152.42, and the S&P 500 declined 91.39, or 1.36%, to 6,624.70.
