Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (-0.4%), Nasdaq Composite (-0.9%), and DJIA (flat) are significantly improved from their opening losses, though mega-cap and tech underperformance keep the major averages in negative territory.

The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF is down 1.0%, with the information technology (-1.6%) and consumer discretionary (-0.9%) sectors lagging as their largest components trade lower.

While the energy (-0.3%) and health care (-0.2%) sectors also hold losses, the seven other S&P 500 sectors trade higher. 

The steady increase in sector strength throughout the morning now seats the S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (+0.3%) in positive territory. 

The consumer staples sector (+0.7%) leads the advancers, supported by the announcement of a Walmart (WMT 105.05, +2.93, +2.87%) and OpenAI partnership, while the financials sector (+0.6%) benefits from several notable earnings beats before the open. 

Meanwhile, the Russell 2000 (flat) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+0.2%) have reclaimed their flat lines after early losses.