Major Averages Lower as Investors Shift to Cash and Short-Term Bonds
The major averages were lower near noon, with oil prices slipping as traders await more developments related to the war in Iran. Sentiment remains fragile after a volatile week in which markets repeatedly swung in response to headlines from the Middle East and sharp moves in crude oil.Meanwhile, fund flows this week show investors pulling billions of dollars out of global equity funds while moving capital into cash and short-term bond funds, signaling a shift toward defensive positioning as the geopolitical situation evolves. Volatility has also risen, with the CBOE Volatility Index climbing into the high-20s, underscoring the nervous tone across financial markets.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Adobereported, provided Q2 guidance, and announced a CEO transitionMetais delaying the launch of is "Avocado" AI model,Amazonplans to move is annual Prime Day sale to June from July,Applehas cut commission fees collected from its App Store in China,BuzzFeedshares were under pressure after it2. WALL STREET CALLS:KinderCareto Underweight at Morgan Stanley and to Neutral at BairdNerdWalletto Underweight at Morgan StanleyAdobeto Equal Weight at Barclays with CEO transitioning out of roleHSBCNioto Buy on better earnings visibilityNutriento Overweight at Wells Fargo3. AROUND THE WEB:BE Semiconductoris receiving takeover interest amid rising demand for advanced chip-packaging technology, and is working with Morgan Stanleyto evaluate potential approaches, Reuters saysAnthropic is in talks with Blackstoneand other private equity firms to form a joint venture selling consulting services for integrating Claude into portfolio companies, The Information reportsByteDance is working with Aolani Cloud to use 500 NvidiaBlackwell computing systems in Malaysia, totaling around 36,000 B200 chips, in an effort to become a global AI leader, WSJ saysAlibabahas launched "JVS Claw," a mobile app meant to help users install and deploy OpenClaw, an agentic AI assistant, Bloomberg reportsHonda's$15.7B writedown of its EV business demonstrates a reversal of its U.S. strategy and highlights challenges to come from China, Reuters says4. MOVERS:Klarnagains in New York after Board Chair Michaelfor $50MOncology Institutehigher after B. Rileyto $8 from $6Hive Digitalincreases after announcing aPar Technologyfalls after announcing aSable Offshorelower aftera court found proof of bad faith in the company's pipeline approval5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Kyivstarand provided guidance for FY26One Group, with EPS and revenue missing consensusTurtle Beach, with CEO Cris Keirn stating that "although our fourth quarter and full-year results were below guidance… we took steps to manage costs, protect our brand position, and prepare the company for renewed growth"EverCommerceand provided guidance for Q1 and FY26Savara, with EPS missing consensusINDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was down 0.06%, or29.15, to 46,648.70, the Nasdaq was down 0.73%, or 161.81, to 22,150.17, and the S&P 500 was down 0.40%, or 26.81, to 6,645.81.
