Major Averages Rise as CPI Report Released

The major averages were broadly higher near noon as investors react to the release of the delayed November Consumer Price Index inflation report and other key economic data. Traders are closely watching not only CPI but also jobless claims and regional manufacturing surveys, all of which could influence how the Federal Reserve views inflation and growth heading into 2026.Globally, other central banks are making moves as well. Just a week after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut its federal funds rate, the Bank of England lowered its Bank rate by 0.25 percentage points. The European Central Bank, however, maintained its three key interest rates, saying that its updated assessment reconfirms that inflation should stabilize at the 2% target in the medium term.Looking to commodities, gold hit new a new record high, with the "safe haven" asset hovering around the $4,400 mark. Oil prices were also surging as the commodity rebounds from sharp declines this week.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Micronreportedand provided upbeat Q2 earnings and revenue guidanceTrump Mediawith TAE Technologies in an over $6B transactionElliott has built a position of over $1B in Lululemon,Dardenreportedand reiterated its FY26 outlookThe Bank of Englandby 0.25 percentage points to 3.75%, while the European Central Bank kept its three key interest rates unchanged2. WALL STREET CALLS:Merckto Outperform at BMO CapitalPayPalto Underweight at Morgan StanleyRivianto Outperform at BairdJefferiesGE Vernovaon gas pricing, services visibilityLennarto Underperform at RBC Capital, Evercore ISI and BofA after weaker than anticipated fiscal Q4 results and Q1 guidance3. AROUND THE WEB:Over three dozen state attorneys general are urging Metato strengthen enforcement of its policies against misleading weight loss drug ads on Instagram and Facebook, including AI-generated content,Appleis in preliminary talks with India-based CG Semi, which offers chip assembly and testing services, to assemble and package chips for the iPhone,Googleis suing Darcula, a Chinese-speaking cybercriminal group, claiming it is responsible for a massive amount of scam text messages sent to Americans over the past year,Warner Bros.urged its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance'shostile takeover bid, arguing Paramount was inadequate compared to Netflix,The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating Instacartas the retail platform grapples with criticism of its AI-powered pricing tool,4. MOVERS:Sable Offshoreincreases after the U.S. DOT'sthe company's pipeline connecting the Santa Ynez Unit to the Pentland Station terminal in Kern County, California is an interstate pipeline facilityRedwiregains after announcing it will provide two International Docking System Standardfor The Exploration Company's spacecraftFuelCellhigher after, with EPS higher year-over-yearInsmedfalls after announcing its Phase 2bdid not meet its primary or secondary endpointBirkenstocklower in New York afterand providing guidance for FY265. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Accentureand backed its guidance for FY26CarMax, with EPS and revenue beating consensusCintasand raised its guidance for FY26FactSet, with CEO Sanoke Viswanathan commenting, "FactSet's strong start to the year underscores the quality of our data and products"Kamadafor FY25INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.65%, or 312.84, to 48,198.81, the Nasdaq was up 1.92%, or 436.13, to 23,129.46, and the S&P 500 was up 1.24%, or 83.34, to 6,804.77.