Nasdaq Rises 1.26% as Investors Await Nvidia Earnings

The major averages closed broadly higher for the second day in a row, with tech stocks leading the way as investors look toward a pivotal earnings catalyst. At the center of attention is Nvidia's quarterly earnings report, which dominates market narratives and beta positioning.Looking to commodities, gold was fractionally higher as the "safe haven" asset remains firmly above the $5,000 mark. Oil was fractionally lower though still near its year-to-date high following the release of crude inventory data.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Workdayreportedbut provided a guidance that prompted downgrades and price target cutsLowe'sreportedbut provided a FY26 revenue outlook that missed consensus at its mid-pointHP Inc.reportedand reiterated its FY26 guidance, but pointed toward the lower-endTJXreported, announced plans to raise its quarterly dividend, and announced a new $3B stock repurchase program authorizationDavid Tepperto Whirlpool'sboard over its "unnecessary dilution"2. WALL STREET CALLS:OppenheimerOracleto Outperform after pullbackUBSIBMto Neutral on more balanced risk/rewardFox Corp.to Underperform from Buy at BofA on risk from upcoming NFL renewalMolson Coorsto Underperform at BofAWorkdayat TD Cowen and Evercore ISI after earnings3. AROUND THE WEB:Symbioticshares were rising after Semafor reported that the Department of Commerce is hosting American robot manufacturers for a roundtable on March 10Googlewill test changes to search results as an EU fine looms, Reuters reportsCoreWeaveis seeking an $8.5B loan from banks, backed by a contract Metasigned last year to pay CoreWeave up to $14.2B for its services, and a separate agreement valued at more than $5B, Bloomberg reportsDeutsche Bankand General Dynamicsare looking to AI to bolster trading surveillance and track potential misconduct, Bloomberg saysAfter Blue Owlannounced it was selling $1.4B in loans to give money back to investors in certain funds and ending quarterly redemptions in one of its funds, the firm's shares and those of other private-credit lenders slid, WSJ says4. MOVERS:Acadia Healthcareincreases afterand providing guidance for FY26CCC Intelligentgains afterand providing guidance for Q1 and FY26Clear Secureand Evolent Healthhigher in New York afterIntuitive Machinesfalls after announcing a $175MAllotlower in New York afterand providing guidance for FY265. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Centuriand provided guidance for FY26Newmark, with EPS beating consensusOddityand gave an outlook that prompted a downgrade of its shares at JefferiesValens Semiconductorand provided guidance for Q1 and FY26Hayward, with CEO Kevin Holleran commenting, "Hayward delivered a strong fourth quarter, outperforming expectations and building on our momentum"INDEXES:The Dow rose 307.65, or 0.63%, to 49,482.15, the Nasdaq gained 288.40, or 1.26%, to 23,152.08, and the S&P 500 advanced 56.06, or 0.81%, to 6,946.13.