Major Averages Close Lower as Investors Track Middle East Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 21 2026
0mins
The major averages closed lower as investors continue to track Middle East tensions ahead of a ceasefire deadline. Oil advanced, though the price remains below $100 per barrel. Of note, the Foreign Minister of Iran stated in a: "Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire. Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation."Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Applesaid that John Ternus willof the company, with Tim Cook transitioning to executive chairmanAmazonannounced an additionalUnitedHealthprovided areport for Q1GE Aerospacereportedand reiterated its FY26 guidance3Mreportedand reiterated its FY26 outlook2. WALL STREET CALLS:HSBCIntelto Buy on server CPU shipment growthKeyBancCrowdStriketo Overweight on AI tailwindsExxon Mobilto Peer Perform at Wolfe ResearchGraphic Packagingto Underperform at Raymond JamesNorthcoastCava Groupat Sell on "lofty' valuation3. AROUND THE WEB:Metais installing new tracking software on U.S.-based workers' computers to capture mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for use in training its AI models, Reuters reportsDeutsche Telekomis weighing a full combination with T-Mobile, Bloomberg saysMagnum Ice Cream'sshort interest in Europe has increased to 19% of shares available for trading, Bloomberg reportsA U.S. jury has found Uberliable for a sexual assault by a driver in 2019, handing Uber a second consecutive defeat in its first trials of more than 3,000 pending lawsuits, NY Times saysSalesforceCEO Marc Benioff dismissed the idea of vibe coded CRM replacing SaaS companies, saying data security and compliance make Salesforce indispensable, WSJ reports4. MOVERS:Velo3Dwas higher after announcing it willas an official sponsor and additive manufacturing technology provider for two 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge eventsVaalco Energyincreased afterfrom its Gabon drilling program and well results from its Etame 14H wellLucidgained after Uberdisclosed aHycroft Miningfell after engaging with an engineering firm toAXT Inc.was lower after announcing an5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Genuine Partsand reaffirmed its guidance for FY26RTX, with CEO Chris Calio commenting, "RTX delivered a very strong start to 2026"Quest Diagnosticsand raised its guidance for FY26D.R. Hortonand narrowed its guidance for FY26, with CEO David Auld commenting, "The D.R. Horton team delivered a solid second quarter"Synchrony, with EPS beating consensusINDEXES:The Dow fell 293.18, or 0.59%, to 49,149.38, the Nasdaq lost 144.43, or 0.59%, to 24,259.97, and the S&P 500 declined 45.13, or 0.63%, to 7,064.01.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy META?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on META
Wall Street analysts forecast META stock price to rise
44 Analyst Rating
37 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 622.980
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 622.980
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
About META
Meta Platforms, Inc. is building human connections, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. The Company's products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, augmented reality (AR), and wearables. It also helps people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enabling people to share their experiences, ideas, photos, videos, and other content with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large. The Company's segments include Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). FoA segment includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads. RL segment includes its virtual, augmented, and mixed reality related consumer hardware, software and content. Its product offerings in VR include its Meta Quest devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Horizon Store.
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.
Meta Launches Instagram Plus Subscription Service
- New Subscription Launch: Meta has announced the global rollout of Instagram Plus, a paid subscription service that offers enhanced story tools and customization options while keeping the core Instagram app free, reflecting the company's commitment to user experience.
- Feature-Rich Upgrade: Instagram Plus introduces various new features, including story rewatch insights, multiple story audience segmentation, and custom app icons, aimed at enhancing user interaction with friends and content personalization, thereby increasing user engagement.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the announcement of Instagram Plus, Meta's stock rose nearly 1%, indicating market optimism about the new service, despite META stock having lost close to 5% year-to-date.
- Strong Retail Sentiment: According to Stocktwits, retail investor sentiment towards Meta is “bullish,” with message volumes surging 70% over the past 30 days, suggesting strong expectations for the potential success of Instagram Plus.
See More
Meta Launches Business Agent Service, Stock Rises 4%
- Global Launch of Business Agent: Meta Business Agent is now available to all enterprises, utilizing an intelligent conversational tool to handle client interactions, initially free with subscription plans expected, enhancing engagement capabilities for business clients.
- Large User Base: Meta reported that over 1 million enterprises were using earlier versions of the chatbot on WhatsApp and Messenger, indicating broad acceptance and potential market reach for the platform.
- Competitive Market Advantage: Despite the crowded enterprise AI market, Meta's Business Agent may carve out a niche due to its adaptability, particularly for companies already utilizing Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially gaining market share.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Meta aims to invest at least $125 billion in AI data center construction, and investors should monitor whether this expenditure yields substantial returns to support the company's long-term growth strategy.
See More
Nvidia and Broadcom: Analyzing AI Market Competition
- Nvidia's Growth Surge: In its fiscal Q1 2027, Nvidia reported an 85% year-over-year revenue increase to $81.6 billion, with its data center business growing 92%, highlighting robust AI demand despite competitive pressures from customers designing their own chips.
- Broadcom's AI Revenue Boom: Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue soared 143% year-over-year to $10.8 billion in fiscal Q2 2026, although its stock fell due to unchanged revenue guidance for FY 2027, the long-term growth potential remains strong.
- Valuation Comparison: Nvidia trades at a forward P/E ratio of about 25, while Broadcom is at 27; despite both being in high valuation territory, Broadcom's faster AI revenue growth may attract more investors in the future.
- Customer Dependency Risks: Broadcom's reliance on a few large customers for AI growth poses significant risks if it loses any, while Nvidia faces threats from customer chip designs, leaving the future competitive landscape uncertain.
See More
Dow Hits All-Time High as Oil Prices Cool
- Dow's Historic High: The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time high during a strong trading session, reflecting market optimism about the potential end of the Iran war, despite a weaker performance from the Nasdaq, indicating a divergence in tech stocks.
- Oil Price Decline: Brent crude futures fell by 2.8% to close at $95.03 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 3.1% to settle at $93.04, suggesting a reduction in market concerns over future supply, which could impact profitability in the energy sector.
- Tech Stock Volatility: Broadcom's stock plummeted approximately 15% after missing revenue expectations, dragging the Nasdaq down nearly 0.1%, highlighting the pressures faced by the tech industry that may affect overall market sentiment.
- SpaceX IPO Festivities: Major Wall Street banks, including Bank of America, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley, are hosting lavish events for SpaceX's record $75 billion IPO, which is expected to value the company at $1.75 trillion, further driving market attention towards tech stock performance.
See More
Top Five AI Stocks to Invest In Now
- Nvidia's Strong Growth: Nvidia (NVDA) reported an 85% revenue growth in Q1, surpassing expectations, with analysts projecting a 96% growth next quarter, indicating robust performance amid surging data center demand and significant future growth potential.
- Cloud Giants' Spending: Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT) are investing hundreds of billions in data centers, with AWS and Azure growing at 28% and 40% respectively, highlighting a demand that far exceeds supply, which will drive strong earnings growth for both companies.
- Nebius Rapid Expansion: Nebius (NBIS) focuses on AI computing power, achieving a staggering 684% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, with projections of 550% growth this year, showcasing its immense potential as it rapidly expands its data center footprint, aiming for a 20-fold revenue increase by 2027.
- Meta's Potential: Meta Platforms (META) has invested hundreds of billions in data centers, primarily for internal use, but its AI glasses could unlock significant market value; if successful, this could create new revenue streams while its advertising business continues to grow at a solid 33% year-over-year pace.
See More
Nvidia and Cloud Computing Market Growth
- Nvidia's Performance Surge: Nvidia reported an 85% revenue growth in Q1, exceeding market expectations, with projections of 96% growth next quarter, highlighting its strong performance amid surging data center demand and solidifying its leadership in the AI sector.
- Cloud Services Expansion: Amazon and Microsoft's cloud services grew by 28% and 40% respectively in the latest quarter, indicating that as data centers come online, the demand for computing power will continue to rise, driving strong earnings growth for both companies in the future.
- Nebius's Rapid Growth: Nebius focuses on AI computing power, achieving a staggering 684% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, with projections of 550% growth this year, showcasing its immense potential in the emerging market and attracting major tech clients like Microsoft and Meta.
- Meta's AI Investments: Meta has invested hundreds of billions in data centers, primarily for internal use, but the potential market value of its AI glasses is significant; if successfully launched, it could create new revenue streams and enhance the growth potential of its advertising business.
See More
Meta Launches Instagram Plus Subscription Service
- New Subscription Launch: Meta has announced the global rollout of Instagram Plus, a paid subscription service that offers enhanced story tools and customization options while keeping the core Instagram app free, reflecting the company's commitment to user experience.
- Feature-Rich Upgrade: Instagram Plus introduces various new features, including story rewatch insights, multiple story audience segmentation, and custom app icons, aimed at enhancing user interaction with friends and content personalization, thereby increasing user engagement.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the announcement of Instagram Plus, Meta's stock rose nearly 1%, indicating market optimism about the new service, despite META stock having lost close to 5% year-to-date.
- Strong Retail Sentiment: According to Stocktwits, retail investor sentiment towards Meta is “bullish,” with message volumes surging 70% over the past 30 days, suggesting strong expectations for the potential success of Instagram Plus.
See More
Meta Launches Business Agent Service, Stock Rises 4%
- Global Launch of Business Agent: Meta Business Agent is now available to all enterprises, utilizing an intelligent conversational tool to handle client interactions, initially free with subscription plans expected, enhancing engagement capabilities for business clients.
- Large User Base: Meta reported that over 1 million enterprises were using earlier versions of the chatbot on WhatsApp and Messenger, indicating broad acceptance and potential market reach for the platform.
- Competitive Market Advantage: Despite the crowded enterprise AI market, Meta's Business Agent may carve out a niche due to its adaptability, particularly for companies already utilizing Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially gaining market share.
- Capital Expenditure Plans: Meta aims to invest at least $125 billion in AI data center construction, and investors should monitor whether this expenditure yields substantial returns to support the company's long-term growth strategy.
See More
Nvidia and Broadcom: Analyzing AI Market Competition
- Nvidia's Growth Surge: In its fiscal Q1 2027, Nvidia reported an 85% year-over-year revenue increase to $81.6 billion, with its data center business growing 92%, highlighting robust AI demand despite competitive pressures from customers designing their own chips.
- Broadcom's AI Revenue Boom: Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue soared 143% year-over-year to $10.8 billion in fiscal Q2 2026, although its stock fell due to unchanged revenue guidance for FY 2027, the long-term growth potential remains strong.
- Valuation Comparison: Nvidia trades at a forward P/E ratio of about 25, while Broadcom is at 27; despite both being in high valuation territory, Broadcom's faster AI revenue growth may attract more investors in the future.
- Customer Dependency Risks: Broadcom's reliance on a few large customers for AI growth poses significant risks if it loses any, while Nvidia faces threats from customer chip designs, leaving the future competitive landscape uncertain.
See More
Dow Hits All-Time High as Oil Prices Cool
- Dow's Historic High: The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached an all-time high during a strong trading session, reflecting market optimism about the potential end of the Iran war, despite a weaker performance from the Nasdaq, indicating a divergence in tech stocks.
- Oil Price Decline: Brent crude futures fell by 2.8% to close at $95.03 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures dropped 3.1% to settle at $93.04, suggesting a reduction in market concerns over future supply, which could impact profitability in the energy sector.
- Tech Stock Volatility: Broadcom's stock plummeted approximately 15% after missing revenue expectations, dragging the Nasdaq down nearly 0.1%, highlighting the pressures faced by the tech industry that may affect overall market sentiment.
- SpaceX IPO Festivities: Major Wall Street banks, including Bank of America, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley, are hosting lavish events for SpaceX's record $75 billion IPO, which is expected to value the company at $1.75 trillion, further driving market attention towards tech stock performance.
See More
Top Five AI Stocks to Invest In Now
- Nvidia's Strong Growth: Nvidia (NVDA) reported an 85% revenue growth in Q1, surpassing expectations, with analysts projecting a 96% growth next quarter, indicating robust performance amid surging data center demand and significant future growth potential.
- Cloud Giants' Spending: Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT) are investing hundreds of billions in data centers, with AWS and Azure growing at 28% and 40% respectively, highlighting a demand that far exceeds supply, which will drive strong earnings growth for both companies.
- Nebius Rapid Expansion: Nebius (NBIS) focuses on AI computing power, achieving a staggering 684% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, with projections of 550% growth this year, showcasing its immense potential as it rapidly expands its data center footprint, aiming for a 20-fold revenue increase by 2027.
- Meta's Potential: Meta Platforms (META) has invested hundreds of billions in data centers, primarily for internal use, but its AI glasses could unlock significant market value; if successful, this could create new revenue streams while its advertising business continues to grow at a solid 33% year-over-year pace.
See More
Nvidia and Cloud Computing Market Growth
- Nvidia's Performance Surge: Nvidia reported an 85% revenue growth in Q1, exceeding market expectations, with projections of 96% growth next quarter, highlighting its strong performance amid surging data center demand and solidifying its leadership in the AI sector.
- Cloud Services Expansion: Amazon and Microsoft's cloud services grew by 28% and 40% respectively in the latest quarter, indicating that as data centers come online, the demand for computing power will continue to rise, driving strong earnings growth for both companies in the future.
- Nebius's Rapid Growth: Nebius focuses on AI computing power, achieving a staggering 684% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, with projections of 550% growth this year, showcasing its immense potential in the emerging market and attracting major tech clients like Microsoft and Meta.
- Meta's AI Investments: Meta has invested hundreds of billions in data centers, primarily for internal use, but the potential market value of its AI glasses is significant; if successfully launched, it could create new revenue streams and enhance the growth potential of its advertising business.
See More
