Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages maintain their early gains ahead of this afternoon's FOMC decision.

Alphabet (GOOG 272.58, +4.15, +1.55%) is showing strength ahead of its earnings report this afternoon, notching a fresh all-time high level in today's trade. 

As a result, the communication services sector (+0.7%) now holds a solid gain after a brief stint in negative territory this morning. Verizon (VZ 40.20, +0.88, +2.25%) is the top mover in the sector after posting an EPS beat this morning. 

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.5%), and DJIA (+0.5%) trade in a stable range just before midday. 

The energy sector (+1.0%) is now the top-performing S&P 500 sector, supported by a $0.72 (+1.2%) increase in the price of oil to $60.87. 

The industrials sector (+0.9%) is not far behind, but a loss in Boeing (BA 214.34, -9.00, -4.03%) following its Q3 earnings report somewhat limits the gains. 

As expected, the company posted another large loss—its 17th consecutive quarterly loss—which was larger than expected due to a $4.9 billion non-cash charge. However, revenue rose a robust 30.4% year-over-year to $23.27 billion, topping expectations and fueled by 160 commercial deliveries.

The 777X program remains the main disappointment, as certification has been delayed again, pushing first delivery to 2027. While no major technical issues have emerged, the lengthy certification process continues to frustrate investors.

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.6%), and DJIA (+0.5%) once again notched fresh record highs as NVIDIA (NVDA 208.46, +7.43, +3.69%) furthers its impressive rally, surpassing $5 trillion in market capitalization. The small-cap Russell 2000 (+0.2%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+0.1%) hold modest gains after retreating yesterday. 

The information technology sector (+1.0%) leads the advance, while the broader market is mixed. Five S&P 500 sectors hold gains, while six move lower. 

Mega-caps continue to pace the index-level gains, with the market-weighted S&P 500 (+0.2%) outperforming the S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (-0.4%). Week-to-date, the market-weighted S&P 500 is up 1.7%, while the equal-weighted index is down 0.9%. 

Several blue-chip names also trade higher after reporting earnings this morning, including Caterpillar (CAT 592.59, +68.12, +12.99%). 

As for today's laggards, the real estate sector (-1.5%) widens its week-to-date loss to 3.5%, the consumer staples sector (-1.4%) faces pressure in the majority of its components, and the financials sector (-0.9%) trades lower as Fiserv (FI 73.48, -52.69, -41.76%) plummets to multi-year lows following a substantial earnings miss and downside guidance. 

While a hefty slate of earnings reports gives investors plenty to assess today, headlines are relatively quiet. The market awaits the FOMC's decision at 2:00 p.m. ET (which is widely expected to produce a 25-basis point rate cut), President Trump is still set to meet with Chinese President Xi, and the mega-cap names that report earnings after the close are not making outsized moves in any direction.

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages are little changed from previous levels as the market now moves in a sideways fashion after its initial push. 

Caterpillar (CAT 592.32, +67.85, +12.94%) is one of the better-performing names in both the S&P 500 and DJIA today after the company delivered a strong 3Q25 report that exceeded expectations across most key metrics, even as tariffs and higher operating costs weighed on profitability.

While EPS slipped year-over-year and tariffs remain a significant profit headwind, the company's revenue momentum and backlog strength suggest durable demand rather than a one-time spike. The ongoing cost drag from tariffs and R&D spending tempers margin expansion in the near term, yet investments in innovation and capacity position CAT to capitalize on emerging high-growth verticals such as data center power support.

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.3%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.6%), and DJIA (+0.6%) maintain their opening gains as the technology sector (+1.3%) provides strong leadership, while the broader market is mixed. 

The small-cap Russell 2000 (+0.1%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (-0.1%) are little changed after retreating yesterday. 

The consumer staples sector (-1.1%) faces a widening loss, with all but two of its components trading lower. Mondelez Int'l (MDLZ 58.04, -2.17, -3.60%) is among those names, slipping after reporting an earnings beat of $0.02 and reporting revenues in-line. 

Meanwhile, the communication services sector (+0.2%) rises above its flat line, with Verizon (VZ 40.22, +0.90, +2.29%) moving higher after beating EPS expectations by $0.02, missing revenue expectations, and guiding FY25 EPS in-line.