Major Averages Close Lower as Investors Track Middle East Tensions
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy META?
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: 670.910
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 670.910
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 Begins $1 Billion Data Center Construction in Oklahoma
- Massive Investment: Meta has commenced construction on a new data center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a project value exceeding $1 billion, aimed at bolstering its AI infrastructure to meet the growing demand for computing power.
- Intensifying Industry Competition: As Meta accelerates its data center development, competition with other Big Tech firms intensifies, particularly in the pursuit of superintelligence technologies, highlighting the company's commitment to future technological advancements.
- Rising Environmental Concerns: Despite the critical need for expanded data centers to enhance computing capabilities, increasing pushback from environmental and consumer groups against energy-intensive expansions may impact the project's sustainability and social responsibility.
- Strategic Implications: This investment not only strengthens infrastructure but also represents a key move for Meta to solidify its market position in the global tech race, indicating a long-term commitment to future technology landscapes.
See More
Trump Calls Tim Cook an 'Incredible Guy' in Truth Social Post
- Tribute to Cook: Trump referred to Cook as an 'incredible guy' in a Truth Social post, recalling an early phone call that highlights their close relationship, which may influence Apple's policies and interests.
- Policy Influence: Cook successfully secured tariff exemptions critical to Apple's operations during Trump's presidency, with Trump acknowledging his assistance, indicating a strategy where business leaders leverage relationships with the president to advance corporate interests.
- Transactional Dynamics: Trump's post reveals a 'transactional' relationship with business leaders, with experts noting that this model could affect the ideal of governance, reflecting how companies seek policy support through personal connections.
- Apple's Future Leadership: Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, with hardware engineering SVP John Ternus taking over, while Apple stated that Cook will continue to engage with policymakers, ensuring the company's competitive edge in the regulatory landscape.
See More
Apple Appoints New Hardware Chief, Strengthens Chip Strategy
- Executive Appointments: Apple has appointed Johny Srouji as Chief Hardware Officer while naming John Ternus as the new CEO, marking a significant step in the company's push towards in-house chip development, which is expected to enhance its competitive edge in the market.
- Chip Autonomy Strategy: Srouji's new role underscores Apple's commitment to in-house chip design, reducing reliance on external suppliers, particularly in the AI sector, which is anticipated to improve product performance and user experience.
- Global Engineering Team Expansion: Apple's chip team has scaled to thousands of engineers across multiple countries, including Israel, Germany, and the U.S., demonstrating its capability and resource integration in global R&D efforts.
- Future Development Direction: Apple plans to continue investing in domestic chip production over the next few years, which is expected to drive innovation in AI and other high-tech fields, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Trump Calls Tim Cook an 'Incredible Guy' in Truth Social Post
- Trump Praises Cook: In a Truth Social post, Trump referred to Cook as an 'incredible guy,' highlighting how Cook effectively navigated significant issues impacting Apple during his presidency, underscoring the importance of Cook's role in business-government relations.
- Tariff Exemption Success: Cook successfully secured a tariff exemption from the Trump administration for Apple products, saving the company billions last year, which directly impacted Apple's profitability and competitive positioning in the market.
- Manufacturing Commitment: During meetings with Trump, Cook committed to a $100 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, further solidifying Apple's presence in the American market and potentially boosting local economic growth.
- New CEO Transition: Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, with Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus taking over, while Apple stated that Cook will continue to engage with global policymakers, ensuring the company maintains its strategic advantages in the policy landscape.
See More
Meta Implements New Tracking Software to Enhance AI Capabilities
- Software Deployment: Meta is installing new tracking software on U.S. employees' computers to capture mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for training its AI models, indicating the company's ongoing investment and innovation in AI technology.
- Model Capability Enhancement: The tool, named Model Capability Initiative (MCI), aims to improve AI models' performance in simulating human-computer interactions, particularly in dropdown menu selections and keyboard shortcuts, reflecting Meta's focus on enhancing AI work efficiency.
- Increased Data Collection: Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth mentioned in an internal memo that the company would ramp up internal data collection as part of its
See More
Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve Reform Plans
- Federal Reserve Reform Plan: Kevin Warsh presented his 'regime change' plan for the Federal Reserve during his Senate confirmation hearing, which includes redefining 'inflation', potentially leading to fundamental changes in the Fed's operations and impacting future monetary policy and interest rate decisions.
- Interest Rate Policy Controversy: Warsh expressed a desire to quickly lower interest rates to 1%, a stance that has sparked dissent within the Fed, although he believes such controversy may aid his reform efforts, reflecting his dissatisfaction with current policies and influence over the market.
- Response to Trump: During the hearing, Warsh attempted to alleviate concerns regarding his relationship with Trump, emphasizing that the president did not specifically instruct him on any interest rate path, indicating his desire to gain trust in terms of independence and transparency.
- Rebuilding Market Confidence: Warsh argues that the Fed has lost credibility, stressing the need for reforms to restore market confidence in the economy, particularly after a prolonged low-interest-rate environment following the 2008 financial crisis, which could affect future economic growth and market stability.
See More
Meta Begins $1 Billion Data Center Construction in Oklahoma
- Massive Investment: Meta has commenced construction on a new data center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a project value exceeding $1 billion, aimed at bolstering its AI infrastructure to meet the growing demand for computing power.
- Intensifying Industry Competition: As Meta accelerates its data center development, competition with other Big Tech firms intensifies, particularly in the pursuit of superintelligence technologies, highlighting the company's commitment to future technological advancements.
- Rising Environmental Concerns: Despite the critical need for expanded data centers to enhance computing capabilities, increasing pushback from environmental and consumer groups against energy-intensive expansions may impact the project's sustainability and social responsibility.
- Strategic Implications: This investment not only strengthens infrastructure but also represents a key move for Meta to solidify its market position in the global tech race, indicating a long-term commitment to future technology landscapes.
See More
Trump Calls Tim Cook an 'Incredible Guy' in Truth Social Post
- Tribute to Cook: Trump referred to Cook as an 'incredible guy' in a Truth Social post, recalling an early phone call that highlights their close relationship, which may influence Apple's policies and interests.
- Policy Influence: Cook successfully secured tariff exemptions critical to Apple's operations during Trump's presidency, with Trump acknowledging his assistance, indicating a strategy where business leaders leverage relationships with the president to advance corporate interests.
- Transactional Dynamics: Trump's post reveals a 'transactional' relationship with business leaders, with experts noting that this model could affect the ideal of governance, reflecting how companies seek policy support through personal connections.
- Apple's Future Leadership: Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, with hardware engineering SVP John Ternus taking over, while Apple stated that Cook will continue to engage with policymakers, ensuring the company's competitive edge in the regulatory landscape.
See More
Apple Appoints New Hardware Chief, Strengthens Chip Strategy
- Executive Appointments: Apple has appointed Johny Srouji as Chief Hardware Officer while naming John Ternus as the new CEO, marking a significant step in the company's push towards in-house chip development, which is expected to enhance its competitive edge in the market.
- Chip Autonomy Strategy: Srouji's new role underscores Apple's commitment to in-house chip design, reducing reliance on external suppliers, particularly in the AI sector, which is anticipated to improve product performance and user experience.
- Global Engineering Team Expansion: Apple's chip team has scaled to thousands of engineers across multiple countries, including Israel, Germany, and the U.S., demonstrating its capability and resource integration in global R&D efforts.
- Future Development Direction: Apple plans to continue investing in domestic chip production over the next few years, which is expected to drive innovation in AI and other high-tech fields, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Trump Calls Tim Cook an 'Incredible Guy' in Truth Social Post
- Trump Praises Cook: In a Truth Social post, Trump referred to Cook as an 'incredible guy,' highlighting how Cook effectively navigated significant issues impacting Apple during his presidency, underscoring the importance of Cook's role in business-government relations.
- Tariff Exemption Success: Cook successfully secured a tariff exemption from the Trump administration for Apple products, saving the company billions last year, which directly impacted Apple's profitability and competitive positioning in the market.
- Manufacturing Commitment: During meetings with Trump, Cook committed to a $100 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing, further solidifying Apple's presence in the American market and potentially boosting local economic growth.
- New CEO Transition: Cook will step down as CEO on September 1, with Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus taking over, while Apple stated that Cook will continue to engage with global policymakers, ensuring the company maintains its strategic advantages in the policy landscape.
See More
Meta Implements New Tracking Software to Enhance AI Capabilities
- Software Deployment: Meta is installing new tracking software on U.S. employees' computers to capture mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for training its AI models, indicating the company's ongoing investment and innovation in AI technology.
- Model Capability Enhancement: The tool, named Model Capability Initiative (MCI), aims to improve AI models' performance in simulating human-computer interactions, particularly in dropdown menu selections and keyboard shortcuts, reflecting Meta's focus on enhancing AI work efficiency.
- Increased Data Collection: Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth mentioned in an internal memo that the company would ramp up internal data collection as part of its
See More
Kevin Warsh's Federal Reserve Reform Plans
- Federal Reserve Reform Plan: Kevin Warsh presented his 'regime change' plan for the Federal Reserve during his Senate confirmation hearing, which includes redefining 'inflation', potentially leading to fundamental changes in the Fed's operations and impacting future monetary policy and interest rate decisions.
- Interest Rate Policy Controversy: Warsh expressed a desire to quickly lower interest rates to 1%, a stance that has sparked dissent within the Fed, although he believes such controversy may aid his reform efforts, reflecting his dissatisfaction with current policies and influence over the market.
- Response to Trump: During the hearing, Warsh attempted to alleviate concerns regarding his relationship with Trump, emphasizing that the president did not specifically instruct him on any interest rate path, indicating his desire to gain trust in terms of independence and transparency.
- Rebuilding Market Confidence: Warsh argues that the Fed has lost credibility, stressing the need for reforms to restore market confidence in the economy, particularly after a prolonged low-interest-rate environment following the 2008 financial crisis, which could affect future economic growth and market stability.
See More
