Major U.S. Indices Slightly Lower as Tesla Acquires AI Company

The major averages were a bit lower near noon as investors continue to digest the latest round of corporate earnings reports as well as developments in the Middle East. Post-print declines from major players such as Tesla and IBM were counteracted by sharp gains from companies like Texas Instruments and American Airlines.Meanwhile, relations between the U.S. and Iran continue to be tense, as a lack of commitment from Iran reportedly led to U.S. Vice President JD Vance halting his trip to Pakistan for peace negotiations. Iran state media also reported that Tehran negotiators wouldn't be present, referring to such discussions with the U.S. as a "waste of time." Additionally, President Trump ordered the U.S. Navy on Thursday to "shoot and kill any boat" laying mines along the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's navy said it seized two container ships in the strait.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Teslareportedand said in a regulatory filing that it agreed to acquire an "AI hardware company" for up to $2B in Tesla common stock and equity awardsIBMreported better-than-expectedTexas Instrumentsreportedand provided upbeat Q2 guidanceServiceNowprovided areport for Q1American Airlinesreportedand cut its FY25 earnings outlook2. WALL STREET CALLS:BofATexas Instrumentsto Buy on improving earnings powerCSXto Underweight at Morgan StanleyMcDonald'sto Neutral at Rothschild & Co RedburnJPMorganAvisto Underweight on "unsustainable valuation"HSBCof Oklowith a Buy rating and $96 price target3. AROUND THE WEB:Voya Financialis facing pressure from activist investor Toms Capital Investment Management, to consider putting itself up for sale or offloading its underperforming health insurer arm, FT saysMicrosoftwill have to face a mass lawsuit alleging it overcharged thousands of British businesses to use its Window Server software on services provided by Amazon, Google, and Alibaba, Reuters reportsAustralia's eSafety Commissioner, the company's internet regulator, asked online gaming platforms, including Robloxand Microsoft'sMinecraft, to specify how they intend to protect children from being groomed and shield younger users from radicalization, Reuters saysSoftBankis seeking a $10B loan secured by its shares in OpenAI, Bloomberg reportsBPshareholders rejected two company resolutions at its annual general meeting, expressing frustration over climate disclosures, with just over a quarter of investors supporting resolution asking BP to explain its oil and gas spending strategy, WSJ says4. MOVERS:Penn Entertainmentgains after, with EPS and revenue beating consensusApplied Digitalincreases afterwith a U.S. based hyperscalerSTMicroelectronicsand Comcasthigher in New York afterSuper Microlower after BlueFin Research said the companywith OracleASGNand KKR Real Estatefall after5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Keurig Dr Pepperand backed its guidance for FY26Thermo Fisher (TMO)for Q2 and raised its outlook for FY26NextEra (NEE)and reaffirmed its guidance for FY26Mobileyewith its CEO commenting that the results "reflected a stronger than expected start to 2026"Pool Corp, with EPS and revenue beating consensusINDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was down 0.18%, or 88.62, to 49,401.41, the Nasdaq was down 0.28%, or 68.12, to 24,589.44, and the S&P 500 was down 0.05%, or 3.42, to 7,134.48.