Major Indices Retreat as Utilities Shine

After two days of gains, major indices turned lower on Thursday as investors rotated toward the safety of high-yielding Utilities - by far the best performing sector over the past week - as well as US Treasuries.  The Energy and Industrials sectors also outperformed thanks to Oil prices topping $66.50 per barrel - the highest level since mid-2025 - as well as strength in Aerospace and Defense names amid growing concerns about potential military action by U.S. forces against Iran.  Meanwhile, cyclically-oriented Financials, Consumer Discretionary, and Tech traded relatively softer.In the opening hour of the evening session, equity futures are little changed, with mixed sentiment emerging from the afterhours earnings reports.  In Infrastructure Software, Akamaifell despite beating Q4 estimates due to soft guidance.  In Home Improvement however, Floor & Decorrallied over 5% on better than feared results.  Investors will also tune in to Friday's release of PCE inflation data that will hopefully echo the retreat seen in CPI figures and further appease Fed policy board members whose inflation worries tilted the last Fed meeting minutes more hawkishly.Check out this evening's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER AFTER EARNINGS -JAKKS Pacificup 12.3%Opendoor Technologiesup 12.3%Workivaup 9.7%Perdoceo Educationup 7.4%Floor & Decorup 5.2%Texas Roadhouseup 3.0%AMN Healthcare Servicesup 3.8%Live Nationup 2.7%DOWN AFTER EARNINGS -GRAILdown 48.2%Akamaidown 8.1%Copartdown 7.8%AXTdown 6.0%Sprouts Farmers Marketdown 1.2%