Dow Jones Index Rises 331.23 Points to 49,308.41

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

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Updated: Jan 06 2026

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The major averages were broadly higher near noon for the second day in a row, with the Dow up more than 300 points as blue chip stocks appear to be creating a strong lift. Amazon was trading higher near midday, while other AI-related stocks are also on the rise amid dozens of major announcements in the space at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Still, some reluctance remains from traders as they await fresh near-term catalysts, especially as they look ahead to key economic data including employment reports later this week.Looking to commodities, gold prices were higher once again, with the "safe haven" asset inching toward the $4,500 mark. Oil prices were fractionally lower, meanwhile, ahead of this afternoon's API crude numbers.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Nvidialaunched the, comprising six new chips designed to deliver "one AI supercomputer"VistraCogentrix Energy for $4BMicrochipraised its, with CEO Sanghi expecting a "fairly broad-based recovery" in most of the company's end marketsMeta Platformshasof the Meta Ray-Ban DisplayNXP Semiconductorsand GE HealthtCareare collaborating over2. WALL STREET CALLS:Brinkerto Buy at UBSDeutsche BankShake Shackto Buy on early 2026 catalystsCore Scientificto Buy at BTIGShopifyto Peer Perform at Wolfe Research amid high expectationsChevronand Exxon Mobilto Sell at Freedom Capital3. AROUND THE WEB:A Chinese hospital says Alibaba'sPANDA AI tool has analyzed more than 180,000 CT scans to help doctors detect roughly 24 pancreatic cancer cases since its November 2024 rollout, NYT saysIntelsaid it intends to launch an "entire handheld gaming platform with Panther Lake" chips later in 2026, Verge reportsKKR, Warburg Pincus, and EQT Partners are among the bidders looking to acquire TPG's Southeast Asia school business, WSJ reportsEniand Repsolhave supplied Venezuela with gas and naphtha for several years, which were used to dilute the country's heavy oil for transport, but the companies are struggling to recover payments of about $6B from the country and are facing indifference from U.S. officials, FT saysBuyout firm Hg confirmed reports that it struck a deal to acquire financial software maker OneStream4. MOVERS:Alumsincreases after announcing Phase 3 trial of envudeucitinibTerrestrial Energygains after executing anwith the U.S. DOE for Project TETRAAevahigher after its Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave 4D LiDAR technology has beenDRIVE Hyperion autonomous vehicle reference platformStaar Surgicallower after announcing its intention towith AlconSoFi Technologiesfalls after BofAof the stock with an Underperform rating5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCEAngioDynamics, with CEO Jim Clemmer commenting, "We delivered an excellent second quarter"Trinity Industriesfor FY25Newton GolfJFB Construction, with CEO Joseph Basile, III, commenting, "Our growth in 2025 represents ongoing projects in several key business verticals"Energy Transfer LPINDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.68%, or 331.23, to 49,308.41, the Nasdaq was up 0.23%, or 52.76, to 23,448.58, and the S&P 500 was up 0.33%, or 22.48, to 6,924.53.

EAT

$157.68+Infinity%1D

Analyst Views on EAT

Wall Street analysts forecast EAT stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for EAT is 161.60 USD with a low forecast of 140.00 USD and a high forecast of 210.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

17 Analyst Rating

10 Buy

7 Hold

0 Sell

Moderate Buy

Current: 166.710

Low

140.00

Averages

161.60

High

210.00

Current: 166.710

Low

140.00

Averages

161.60

High

210.00

Citi

NULL -> Buy

maintain

$176 -> $187

Al Analysis

2026-01-09

Reason

Citi

Price Target

$176 -> $187

Al Analysis

2026-01-09

maintain

NULL -> Buy

Reason

Citi raised the firm's price target on Brinker to $187 from $176 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares.

Mizuho

Outperform

maintain

$155 -> $175

2026-01-09

Reason

Mizuho

Price Target

$155 -> $175

2026-01-09

maintain

Outperform

Reason

Mizuho raised the firm's price target on Brinker to $175 from $155 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the restaurant group as part of its 2026 outlook. Mizuho's base case remains a restaurant price war continues this year to combat traffic share loss to grocery as a result of higher post-COVID relative price increases. Casual diners are best positioned to outperform, followed by coffee and fast casual, with quick service positioned least favorably, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Mizuho's top pick remains Dutch Bros. It added Brinker and Cheesecake Factory to its top three, while removing Domino's Pizza and Wingstop.

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Barclays

Equal Weight

maintain

$135 -> $166

2026-01-07

Reason

Barclays

Price Target

$135 -> $166

2026-01-07

maintain

Equal Weight

Reason

Barclays raised the firm's price target on Brinker to $166 from $135 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the restaurant group as part of its 2026 outlook. Sales challenges persist for the sector, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Barclays expects quick service to regain share from fast casual and casual dining, and it remains bullish on foodservice distribution.

UBS

Dennis Geiger

Neutral -> Buy

upgrade

$144 -> $175

2026-01-06

Reason

UBS

Dennis Geiger

Price Target

$144 -> $175

2026-01-06

upgrade

Neutral -> Buy

Reason

UBS analyst Dennis Geiger upgraded Brinker to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $175, up from $144. The firm says the company's "leading" same-store-sales momentum will continue. Brinker's leadership, execution, and sales drivers from menu upgrades, along with stimulus benefits, should support sustained segment-leading sales growth in fiscal 2026, the analyst tells investors in a research note. UBS believes further upside exists for the shares from continued sales gains and better than expected earnings.

About EAT

Brinker International, Inc. is a casual dining restaurant company. The Company owns, develops, operates and franchises the Chili’s Grill & Bar (Chili’s) and Maggiano’s Little Italy (Maggiano’s) restaurant brands. The Company operates through two segments: Chili’s and Maggiano’s. The Chili’s segment includes its Company-owned Chili’s restaurants, which are principally located in the United States, within the full-service casual dining segment of the industry. The Chili’s segment also includes its Canadian Company-owned restaurants and royalties from its franchised locations in the United States, 27 other countries and two United States territories. The Maggiano’s segment includes its Company-owned Maggiano's restaurants in the United States as well as royalties from its domestic franchise business. It owns, operates or franchises more than 1,600 restaurants in the United States and 27 other countries and two United States territories.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.