Major Averages Close Higher as Traders Await Jobs and Earnings Reports
The major averages closed higher as traders await the January jobs report and another slate of earnings reports. Of note, several companies in the AI infrastructure space, including Nvidia, Broadcom, and Oracle, were trading higher despite continued concerns around valuations in the space.Looking to commodities, gold was sharply higher with the "safe haven" asset surpassing $5,000 once again. Oil prices were also on the rise, continuing the commodity's strength over the past few sessions.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:TransoceanValarisin a $5.8B all-stock transactionEli LillyOrna Therapeutics for up to $2.4BKyndryl Holdingsreportedand named Harsh Chugh interim CFOHims & Herswillto its compounded semaglutide pill days after the FDA said it would "take action" against non-FDA-approved GLP-1 drugsKrogerand reaffirmed its FY25 guidance2. WALL STREET CALLS:Oraclewasto Buy at DA Davidson and downgraded to Hold at Melius ResearchMicrosoftto Hold at Melius Research on threats from AISoFi Technologiesto Outperform at CitizensRobloxto Buy at Roth CapitalJPMorganKyndrylafter "stunning" CFO exit3. AROUND THE WEB:Nike'sConverse will cut jobs amid a reorganization at Nike, Bloomberg reportsMeta'sInstagram is internally testing a new app that will rival Snapchat, Business Insider saysApple'siPhone 17e with MagSafe is coming "soon," Bloomberg saysJBShas agreed to invest $150M to obtain an 80% stake in an Oman food business through a deal with Oman Investment Authority, Bloomberg reportsBlockhas begun notifying hundreds of employees that their jobs may be eliminated as the company undergoes a broader business overhaul, Bloomberg says4. MOVERS:STMicroelectronicsgains in New York afterwith Amazon Web ServicesAmericas Gold and Silverincreases in New York after TD Securitiesof the stock with a Buy ratingTeraWulfhigher after Morgan Stanleywith an Overweight ratingCleveland-Cliffsfalls afterand providing guidance for FY26Vizsla Silverlower afteron its project site in Concordia, Mexico5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCEPagayaand provided guidance for Q1 and FY26Hain Celestial, with EPS missing consensusMonday.com, with co-CEOs Roy Mann and Eran Zinman commenting, "We delivered another year of strong, disciplined execution in 2025"Sally Beautyand narrowed its guidance for FY26PowerFleetand narrowed its guidance for FY26INDEXES:The Dow rose 20.20, or 0.040%, to 50,135.87, the Nasdaq gained 207.46, or 0.90%, to 23,238.67, and the S&P 500 advanced 32.52, or 0.47%, to 6,964.82.
