Major Averages Edge Higher as Tech Stocks Weaken

The major averages were fractionally higher near noon despite another wave of weakness hitting large-cap technology and semiconductor stocks. Outside of technology, falling oil prices are acting as a stabilizing force. Crude has moved toward multi-month lows as supply concerns continue easing, helping reduce some inflation pressure and potentially improving the broader economic outlook.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:On SemiSynapticsin a $7B all-stock transactionFedEx FreightreportedOpenAI is leaning toward waiting until next year for its IPO,Troy Rohrbaugh has become the leading contender to succeed Jamie Dimon as CEO of JPMorgan,Rocket Labwas selected by NASA tofor two separate NASA missions - PolSIR and TSIS-2 - from early next year2. WALL STREET CALLS:KeyBancNikeon longer than expected turnaroundCrocsto Overweight at Piper SandlerRobinhoodwith a Buy at BTIGAMHto Outperform at BMO CapitalVisteonto Neutral at Baird3. AROUND THE WEB:Boeinghas secured a $3.62B order from China Southern Airlines for freighter aircraft, including two 777F and five 777-8F models, along with options for three additional 777-8Fs, Bloomberg reportsUnileveris exploring a bid for Thorne, the supplements maker valued at up to $4B, and is among several bidders circling the brand, which has been put up for sale by its private equity owner L Catterton, FT reportsMetais working to replace human moderation with generative AI, FT saysGoogleis asking publishers that test new AI features in Google News to grant it broad rights to their content, including to potentially train AI models, The Information reportsVolkswagenCEO Oliver Blume is targeting a major restructuring that could include cutting up to 100,000 jobs, closing four German plants, and reducing planned five-year investment by about 15% to just over EUR 130B, Reuters reports4. MOVERS:FuelCellincreases after Jefferiesthe stock to BuyAcadia Pharmaceuticalsgains after announcing Daybu wasin the EU by CHMPInfleqtionhigher after Wedbushof the stock with an Outperform ratingBraksemlower in New York after filing for anfrom creditorsCapricor (CAPR) falls after presentingfrom its HOPE-2 open-label extension study and announcing the FDA is planning to convene an advisory committee meeting to discuss the company's BLA for Deramiocel5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Beyond Airand narrowed its guidance for FY26American Outdoor Brands, with CEO Brian Murphy commenting, "we are encouraged by the strength of our brands and the favorable consumer demand reflected in our POS results"Wiseand provided guidance for FY27Cineverse, with EPS and revenue higher year-over-yearApogee Enterprises (APOG), with CEO Donald Nolan commenting, ""Our results for the quarter reflect solid execution as our team effectively navigated a dynamic operating environment"INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.23%, or 118.98, to 52,039.60, the Nasdaq was up 0.22%, or 56.16, to 25,414.76, and the S&P 500 was up 0.24%, or 17.60, to 7,375.09.