Major Averages Bounce Back at Noon, Dow Up 288.53 Points
The major averages were broadly higher at noon in a bounce-back from yesterday's sharp selloff, though sentiment remains fragile. Markets are trading in a volatile and unsettled environment as traders digest significant geopolitical and trade policy risks that have dominated headlines this week.Of note, U.S. President Donald Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he won't use excessive force to acquire Greenland and that he is seeking immediate talks on the matter. The news comes as Bloomberg reported that the European Union has delayed a vote on ratifying a trade agreement with the U.S.Looking to commodities, gold prices continue to skyrocket to record highs, crossing the $4,800 threshold and inching towards the $4,900 mark. Oil prices were fractionally higher near noon, meanwhile, ahead of the API crude numbers set for release this afternoon.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Netflixreportedand provided FY26 revenue guidance, but said it will pause share buybacks to help fund its pending Warner Bros.acquisitionJohnson & Johnsonreportedbut provided a somewhat conservative FY26 outlookUnited Airlinesreportedand provided guidance for Q1 and FY26Smithfield FoodsNathan's Famousfor $102 per share in cashPresident Trump said at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he won't use2. WALL STREET CALLS:Okloto Buy at BofA after MetadealBiohavento Outperform at RBC CapitalCitiAbercrombie & Fitchon favorable risk/reward post selloffArmto Positive at Susquehanna following underperformanceCraig-HallumFlutterto Hold on accumulating transitory headwinds3. AROUND THE WEB:Snaphas agreed to settle a tech addiction lawsuit ahead of a landmark trial alleging social media companies engineered addictive products that harm young users, NY Times saysNvidiaCEO Jensen Huang is planning to travel to China in late January to attend company parties and potentially meet with senior Chinese officials, Bloomberg reportsU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Deutsche BankCEO Christian Sewing told him the bank does not agree with an analyst report suggesting European investors may drop U.S. assets, Reuters reportsAccording to Chief Technology Officer, CTO, Andrew Bosworth, Meta'snew AI lab has internally delivered its first AI models, Reuters saysKerrisdale Capital, in a research note, says the firm is short shares of Affirm, a "Buy Now, Pay Later" lender built "on the same subprime playbook that has undone monoline consumer finance companies for decades."4. MOVERS:Progress Softwarehigher afterand providing guidance for Q1 and FY26Lucid Groupincreases after Rockwell Automationthe company's manufacturing facility in Saudi ArabiaLexicongains after completing thewith U.S. FDA for pilavapadinOcugenlower after announcing aErascalower after announcing a5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCETE Connectivity, with EPS and revenue beating consensusCitizens Financial, with CEO Bruce Van Saun commenting, "We are pleased to report good Q4 and full year results that reflect strong execution of our key growth initiatives"Teledyneand provided guidance for Q1Travelersand provided guidance for FY25, with CEO Alan Schnitzer commenting, "We are pleased to report excellent fourth quarter and full year results"Danafor FY25 and provided its outlook for FY26INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.60%, or 288.53, to 48,777.12, the Nasdaq was up 0.21%, or 49.12, to 23,003.44, and the S&P 500 was up 0.41%, or 27.59, to 6,824.45.
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