Major Averages Mixed Near Noon as Investors Reassess 2026 Optimism

The major averages were mixed near noon as investors reassess early 2026 optimism. After major indexes hit record highs in recent sessions, profit-taking and risk aversion have taken hold ahead of the forthcoming jobs report.Broader sentiment reflects a shift to a more measured and selective market, with investors digesting geopolitical developments, mixed earnings cues and fresh macro indicators.Looking to commodities, gold was mostly unchanged near noon, while oil was sharply higher, climbing nearly 2%.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Shares of defense companies surged after President Trump said on social media yesterday that he wants thenot $1TJPMorgan Chasewillof the Apple Card, taking over from Goldman SachsConstellation Brandsreportedand reiterated its FY26 EPS guidanceApplied DigitalreportedFranklin Coveyreported2. WALL STREET CALLS:Alphabetto Overweight at Cantor FitzgeraldNeedhamNikeon its slower than expected turnaround while Deutsche Bank resumed coverage with a Hold ratingPiper Sandlerthe "Big 3" U.S. automakers General Motors, Fordand Stellantisto OverweightUBSGapto Buy ahead of an expected positive earnings inflectionAlcoato Underweight at JPMorgan3. AROUND THE WEB:HSBChas agreed to pay EUR 300M to settle a criminal and civil case in France over its alleged role in a dividend-tax scandal, Bloomberg reportsNvidiarequires full upfront payment from Chinese customers looking to buy H200 AI chips, Reuters reportsFordintends to introduce eyes-off technology on an upcoming $30,000 all-electric car in 2028, CNBC saysChina on Wednesday unveiled rules banning major platforms like Alibabaand JD.comfrom coercing merchants into discounts or practices seen as disrupting market order, Bloomberg reportsChevronis in discussions with the U.S government to expand a key license to operate in Venezuela so it can increase crude exports to its own refineries and sell to other buyers, Reuters says4. MOVERS:flyExclusiveincreases after signing anwith StarlinkEnlivengains after reporting "positive" initialfor ELVN-001 in CMLChina SXT Pharmaceuticalshigher in New York after announcing the launch ofImmuneeringlower after reportingfrom its Phase 2a trial of atebimetinibCorMedixfalls afterfor Q4 and FY265. EARNINGS/GUIDANCECommercial Metalsand provided guidance for Q2, with CEO Peter Matt commenting, "The first quarter market an exceptional start to 2026"RPM, with EPS and revenue missing consensusHelen of Troyand cut its guidance for FY26Simply Foodsand provided guidance for FY26, with CEO Geoff Tanner commenting, "Our first quarter financial performance came in modestly ahead of our expectations"Neogenand raised its guidance for FY26INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.52%, or 254.22, to 49,250.30, the Nasdaq was down 0.63%, or 147.42, to 23,436.85, and the S&P 500 was down 0.05%, or 3.14, to 6,917.79.