Major US Averages Rise as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision

The major averages were higher near noon as traders brace for the outcome of the Federal Reserve's upcoming rate decision. Sentiment remains cautious after recent volatility in global bonds and a sharp yield spike. Many investors have parked money in safer, liquid assets as money-market funds saw a significant inflow.Meanwhile, there remains some optimism, particularly as Nvidia was on the rise as markets cheered news that its H200 AI chips got approval for exports to China, helping fuel modest gains in chip and semiconductor peers as well. That said, with the Fed meeting just ahead, many traders seem to be in "wait-and-see" mode. Volatility could emerge sharply depending on the tone of the decision and forward guidance.Looking to commodities, gold was fractionally higher following yesterday's dip, as the "safe haven" asset inches toward the $4,300 threshold. Meanwhile, oil was roughly 1% lower near noon ahead of this afternoon's API crude numbers.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:President Trump said that Nvidiacanand other countriesHome Depotprovided itsand reiterated its earnings and revenue guidance for FY25CVS Healthalso provided its FY26 outlook butand revenue viewsFordwill jointlyand light commercial vehicles with RenaultCampbell'sreported, reiterated its FY26 outlook, and agreed to acquire a 49% interest in La Regina for $286M2. WALL STREET CALLS:Goldman Sachscruise operator Viking Holdingsto Buy while downgrading peer Norwegian Cruise Lineto NeutralColgate-Palmoliveto Outperform at RBC CapitalVertivto Peer Perform at Wolfe ResearchSynopsysto Buy at Rosenblatt ahead of Q4 reportCompass PointSLMto Sell as update signals "major reset"3. AROUND THE WEB:Disney'sABC is extending Jimmy Kimmel's deal to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" until May 2027 under a new, one-year contract,Bank of America, Citigroup, and Apollo Globalare each providing the debt commitment for Paramount Skydance'shostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discover,Anthropic and Accenturehave formed a three-year partnership to sell AI services to businesses, aiming to improve return on investment,Activist investor Starboard Value has taken a nearly 5% stake in Clearwater Analyticsand wants the company to boost its share price and run a robust sales process with independent advisers,Police raided Coupang'sSeoul headquarters to investigate a data breach that exposed personal information from 33.7 million customers,4. MOVERS:Alexander & Baldwinincreases after announcing itfor $21.20 per shareTronoxgains after receivingfrom EXIM and EFA for up to $600M in financingStaar Surgicalhigher afterwith AlconPhreesiafalls afterand providing guidance for FY26 and FY27Dyne Therapeutics (DYN) lower after announcing a5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Core & Mainand backed its guidance for FY25Ferguson, with EPS and revenue beating consensusDesigner Brands, with CEO Doug Howe commenting, "Our third quarter performance represents another meaningful step forward in our transformation"Land's Endand provided guidance for Q4 and FY25G-III Appareland raised its guidance for FY26INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.08%, or 36.82, to 47,776.14, the Nasdaq was up 0.17%, or 39.80, to 23,585.71, and the S&P 500 was up 0.16%, or 11.25, to 6,857.76.