Major U.S. Averages Advance as Investors Weigh AI Enthusiasm Against Fiscal Outlook

The major averages advanced as investors weighed AI enthusiasm against mounting concerns about the U.S. fiscal outlook, the long-term direction of interest rates and the situation in the Middle East. Axios reported 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 cashBig retailers Best Buy, Kohl's, and Dollar TreeallAnthropic has raised $65B in Series H funding at a2. 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:Toyotahas stopped development of its Lexus next-gen EV, Nikkei Asia reportsCybersecurity company SentinelOneis preparing for layoffs and is expected to announce the cuts alongside earnings, Calcalist reportsJPMorganCEO 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 Foodsrose afterUnusual Machines, AeroVironment, Ondas, and RedCatincreased after WSJthe Trump administration is pursuing funding deals with drone companiesAgilentwas higher afterand raising its guidance for FY26Photronicsfell after, with EPS and revenue missing consensusSidus Spacewas lower after5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:HP Inc.reportedand narrowed its FY26 earnings guidanceBuild-A-Bearand provided guidance for FY26Sono-Tek, with CEO Steve Harshbarger commenting, "We are greatly encouraged by our fiscal 2026 results"Seanergy Marine, with EPS and revenue beating consensusLi Auto, with EPS and revenue lower year-over-yearINDEXES:The Dow rose 24.69, or 0.049%, to 50,668.97, the Nasdaq gained 242.74, or 0.91%, to 26,917.47, and the S&P 500 advanced 43.27, or 0.58%, to 7,563.63.