Dow Jones Advances as Oil Prices Decline
The major averages were mixed near noon, with the Dow Jones advancing as oil prices decline, though the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were down fractionally amid weakness in cybersecurity stocks. Treasury yields are pulling back slightly after a relentless surge over the past two weeks, with the 10-year yield moving down from recent highs near 4.5%. Markets are responding to signs that a potential Iran ceasefire or peace framework could ease oil-driven inflation pressure. Lower yields are giving technology and semiconductor stocks room to rebound.Crude prices dropped sharply after optimism around U.S.-Iran negotiations improved, with Brent crude falling back below $100 a barrel after briefly spiking during recent Strait of Hormuz tensions. AI enthusiasm continues dominating equity leadership. Semiconductor names and hyperscaler-related infrastructure plays remain the strongest part of the market, even as analysts increasingly debate whether the rally has become too narrow and valuation-sensitive.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Dick's Sportingreported, reiterated its FY26 earnings outlook, and said it sees $200M in charges in FY26 from the Foot Locker acquisitionZscalerprovided areport for Q3, but analysts called its Q4 guidance "underwhelming"Abercrombie & Fitchreportedand reiterated its FY26 guidanceBank of Montrealreported aand boosted its quarterly dividendSherwin-Williamsand Nippon Paintconfirmed aAkzoNobel2. WALL STREET CALLS:FedExto Overweight at JPMorganVerra Mobilityto Underweight at JPMorgan and cut to Neutral-equivalent ratings by at least five other firmsSanDiskto Overweight at BarclaysDeutsche BankDollar Generalwith its customer base "increasingly challenged"MGM Resortsat Truist and JPMorgan3. AROUND THE WEB:Nvidia'sCEO said the company plans to invest about $150B per year in Taiwan, describing it as the "epicentre" of the AI revolution and a long-term global hub for technology manufacturing, Reuters reportsParamount'sproposed $110B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discoveryis moving toward likely approval by U.S. antitrust regulators following a recent Justice Department meeting, Reuters saysMicronhas hit $1T market value for the first time, driven by AI demand for its memory chips, CNBC reportsFord'sstock has surged to its highest level in nearly three years after the company announced a new energy-storage subsidiary, Ford Energy, WSJ saysBolloreCEO Cyrille Bollore was urging Universal Music Group'smanagement to reject Bill Ackman's takeover proposal, Reuters reports4. MOVERS:Digital Turbinegains afterand providing guidance for FY27Opendoor Technologiesincreases after announcing its inclusion in theRed Cat (RCAT) higher after H.C. Wainwrightof the stock with a Buy ratingPDD Holdingsfalls in New York afterSatellogiclower after announcing a5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Bath & Body Worksand provided guidance for Q2 and FY26Capri Holdings, with CEO John Idol commenting, "Looking at fiscal 2026 we were encouraged by the progress we made executing against the strategic initiatives introduced last year"Dycom, with EPS and revenue beating consensusManchester Unitedand raised its guidance for FY26Monroand announced it will not provide guidance for FY27INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.34%, or 172.46, to 50,634.14, the Nasdaq was down 0.18%, or 48.62, to 26,607.56, and the S&P 500 was down 0.10%, or 7.26, to 7,511.86.
