Major U.S. Averages Close Broadly Higher, Nasdaq Up 1.03%
The major averages closed broadly higher as oil pulled back, though the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues to be fragile. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire "certainly holds" and claimed that two U.S. commercial ships have already "safely transited the strait, showing the lane is clear."Meanwhile, earnings remain strong and AI capital expenditures continue to act as a structural tailwind. There is persistent capital flow into semis and hyperscalers, with expectations for massive multi-year spend cycles anchoring estimates higher.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Palantirprovided areport for Q1PayPalreportedand provided its outlook for Q2 and FY26Coinbaseannounced plans to, or 700 employeesPfizerreportedand reiterated its FY26 guidancePinterestreportedand provided Q2 revenue guidance2. WALL STREET CALLS:Ulta Beautyto Buy at BofA on improved earnings flywheelRobloxto Neutral at Piper Sandler on lack of visibilityArgusChipotleto Buy, expects comp growth to accelerateStephensRepay Holdings, sees "two binary outcomes"Tractor Supplyto Neutral at Piper Sandler3. AROUND THE WEB:FDA officials have blocked publication of several studies supporting the safety of widely used vaccines against Covid-19 and shingles in recent months, NY Times reportsHondaplans to shelve its $11B Canada EV plant as demand sputters, Nikkei reportsNissanis planning to cut roughly 10% of its European workforce and consolidate production lines at its Sunderland Plant as part of a broader restructuring effort, while exploring partnerships such as with Chery to utilize excess capacity and improve financial performance, FT saysBerkshirehas selected Gen Re chairman Charlie Shamieh to succeed Ajit Jain, Vice Chairman of Insurance Operations, when Jain decides to retire, Bloomberg reportsAppleis planning to release a new "Create a Pass' feature for its next iPhone software update, which will allow users to build and customize their digital tickets and gift cards in the Wallet app, Bloomberg says4. MOVERS:Backblazehigher afterand raising its guidance for FY26EverQuote, Digital Oceanand BRC Inc.increase afterDigi Power Xgains after signing aGeneDxlower afterand lowered its guidance for FY26BellRing Brandsand Adtranfalls after5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Portillo's, with EPS and revenue missing consensusIPG Photonicsand provided guidance for Q2, with CEO Mark Gitin commenting, "I am pleased to share that first-quarter revenue came in above our expectations"Neuroneticsand backed its guidance for FY26Surgery Partnersand backed its guidance for FY26, with CEO Eric Evans commenting, "We are encouraged by our solid start to 2026"Expeditors, with EPS and revenue beating consensusINDEXES:The Dow rose 356.35, or 0.73%, to 49,298.25, the Nasdaq gained 258.33, or 1.03%, to 25,326.13, and the S&P 500 advanced 58.47, or 0.81%, to 7,259.22.
