Major Averages Rise at Noon as Investors Weigh AI Enthusiasm and Fiscal Outlook

The major averages were higher near noon as investors weigh AI enthusiasm alongside mounting concerns about the U.S. fiscal outlook and the long-term direction of interest rates. Additionally, Axios is reporting that the U.S. and Iran have reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. The report noted, however, that President Trump has yet to give the proposed deal his final approval.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Snowflakereported, agreed to acquire Natoma, and expanded its Amazoncollaboration with a $6B commitment to AWSSalesforceprovided areport for Q1Caesarsby Fertitta Entertainment for $31 per share in cashHP Inc.reportedand narrowed its FY26 earnings guidanceBig retailers Best Buy, Kohl's, and Dollar Treeall reported2. WALL STREET CALLS:JPMorganDick's Sportingwith Q1 supporting bull caseBaxterto Sell at CitiTrade Deskwith a Sell at Rothschild & Co RedburnDominionto Buy at Jefferies following NextEradealFirst Solarto Buy at GLJ Research3. AROUND THE WEB:Cybersecurity company SentinelOneis preparing for layoffs and is expected to announce the cuts alongside earnings, Calcalist reportsUnileveris investing $270M to build a new research facility in New Haven, Connecticut, slated to open in 2029, WSJ saysJPMorganCEO Jamie Dimon said the bank could spend up to $20B on an acquisition in the next couple of years, CNBC reportsSamsungplans to invest about $1.5B to build a semiconductor testing plant focused on legacy chips in Vietnam, Reuters saysAustralia has launched a record $1.43B+ lawsuit against 3Mover PFAS-contaminated firefighting foam, citing extensive environmental, economic, and cultural damage tied to the "forever chemicals," Reuters reports4. MOVERS:Hormel Foodsrises after reporting quarterly resultsUnusual Machines, AeroVironment, Ondas, and RedCatincrease afterthe Trump administration is pursuing funding deals with drone companiesAgilenthigher afterand raising its guidance for FY26Photronicsfalls after, with EPS and revenue missing consensusSidus Spacelower after filing to5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Build-A-Bearand provided guidance for FY26Sono-Tek, with CEO Steve Harshbarger commenting, "We are greatly encouraged by our fiscal 2026 results"Seanergy Marinewith EPS and revenue beating consensusLi Auto, with EPS and revenue lower year-over-yearIcon, with CEO Barry Balfe commenting, "ICON demonstrated continued commercial momentum through the fourth quarter"INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.12%, or 59.28, to 50,703.56, the Nasdaq was up 0.62%, or 166.50, to 26,841.23, and the S&P 500 was up 0.51%, or 38.07, to 7,558.43.