Major Averages Mixed Ahead of Key Economic Data Release

The major averages were mixed near noon following two days of gains as investors take profits and shift focus to this week's key economic data. Last session's advance was driven by tech and AI-linked names, with chipmakers and large tech stocks lifting benchmarks to new records. Memory and storage technology stocks, notably, helped support the broader market rally as the industry gathers at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.Private-sector employment increased in December, though by less than expected, according to data released by payrolls processor ADP. Companies added 41,000 jobs during the month, reversing a revised loss of 29,000 in November and offering some improvement after a period of weakness in the labor market toward the end of 2025. Private payrolls had contracted in three of the four months leading up to December.Looking to commodities, gold was edging lower, while oil was down roughly 1% after crude numbers from the API and DOE.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Warner Bros. DiscoveryisParamount Skydance'samended takeover offer, saying the Netflixagreement will offer "superior value"JPMorganhasand will start using an internal AI-powered platform to assist on U.S. company votes, WSJ reportsMobileyeMentee Robotics in a $900M cash and stock dealAlbertsonsreportedand narrowed its FY25 earnings guidanceBoeingand Alaska Airannounced the carrier'sin its history2. WALL STREET CALLS:BarclaysWayfairon expected market share gains in 2026AST SpaceMobileto Underperform at ScotiabankOppenheimerMcDonald'son "break-out" opportunity in 2026First Solarto Hold from Buy at JefferiesRegeneronto Buy at BofA on more bullish Eylea HD view3. AROUND THE WEB:Chevronand Quantum Capital are working together on a bid to purchase the international assets of Lukoil, FT saysAmazonwas accused of listing products from independent retailers without consent, FT reportsQualcommis in discussions with Samsung Electronicsover a contract for manufacturing two-nanometer chips, Reuters reportsIn a recently published report, White Diamond Research says it sees XTI Aerospace"going to $2-$3 this year, depending on the extent of their cost-cutting and Drone Nerds' revenue growth."The Chinese government this week asked some tech companies to temporarily halt plans to buy Nvidia'sH200 AI chips, The Information reports4. MOVERS:Monte Rosaincreases afterof MRT-8102Ventyx Biosciencesgains after UBSwith a Buy ratingCrineticshigher after announcing aDatavaultlower after entering aPenguin Solutionsfalls afterin Zilia Technologies5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCEApogee Enterprisesand cut its guidance for FY26UniFirstand reaffirmed its guidance for FY26Innovative EyewearAAR Corp., with CEO John Holmes commenting, "AAR delivered another outstanding quarter"PSQ Holdingsfor Q4INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was down 0.18%, or 91.37, to 49,370.71, the Nasdaq was up 0.61%, or 142.74, to 23,689.91, and the S&P 500 was up 0.20%, or 13.74, to 6,958.56.