Major Averages Close Broadly Higher as Market Sentiment Improves
The major averages closed broadly higher, extending the strength of the last day of March into the start of April. Markets are staging a sharp relief rally as the dominant narrative is de-escalation. Comments suggesting a potential wind-down of U.S. military activity in Iran have triggered a broad risk-on move across equities, bonds and currencies. Of note, President Trump said in a social media post that Iran's president has requested a ceasefire, though Trump noted the U.S. will consider the offer when the Strait of Hormuz is "open, free, and clear."Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Nikereportedbut guided for a decline in Q3 revenueRHreportedand revenue and provided FY26 and FY27 revenue growth guidanceIntelwillin its Ireland Fab joint venture with Apollo GlobalAn Iranian strike damaged an Amazoncloud computing operation in Bahrain a day after Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to target U.S. companies operating in the Middle East, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, and others,General Motorsreported aand Stellantis'FCA reported a 4% increase while Toyotareported an 8.5% decline in March sales in the U.S.2. WALL STREET CALLS:JPMorgan, BofA and Goldman SachsNike after fiscal Q3 reportDisneyto Outperform at Raymond JamesRaymond James alsoUnitedHealthto OutperformDA DavidsonRivianto Neutral on valuation post selloffPPGto Neutral at Citi on raw material costs3. AROUND THE WEB:Stellantisis in talks to build electric vehicles in Canada with a Chinese partner, Bloomberg saysRelated Digital is finalizing $16B in financing for an Oracledata center in Michigan to support OpenAI workloads, Bloomberg reportsAppleis testing letting Siri process multiple requests in a single query in iOS 27, Bloomberg saysTesla'sQ1 deliveries are expected to be lower than December's quarter due to uneven demand and intensifying competition in key markets, Reuters reportsShellis in advanced discussions with Venezuela's government to develop four areas near Trinidad and Tobago, in two areas that are the country's largest offshore natural gas fields, Reuters says4. MOVERS:Target Hospitalityincreased after securing an overDave & Buster'sgained afterand providing guidance for FY26Eli Lillyrose after the FDA approved itsOric Pharmaceuticalswas lower after announcing aGevofell after appointing Kyle James asand Dave Kettner as General Counsel5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Conagra Brandsreportedand narrowed its FY26 earnings outlookPVH, with CEO Stefan Larsson commenting, "We delivered a strong fourth quarter and finish to the year, driven by the strength of our two iconic global brands"Lamb Westonand narrowed its guidance for FY26FitLife, with EPS lower year-over-yearUniFirst, with EPS missing consensusINDEXES:The Dow rose 224.23, or 0.48%, to 46,565.74, the Nasdaq gained 250.32, or 1.16%, to 21,840.95, and the S&P 500 advanced 46.80, or 0.72%, to 6,575.32.
