Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (-0.2%), Nasdaq Composite (-0.1%), and DJIA (-0.4%) sit modestly lower just before midday, trading in a stable range for the duration of today's action. The Russell 2000 (-0.2%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (-0.2%) hold similar losses as the broader market takes a slight step back after a solid "risk-on" session yesterday. 

Seven S&P 500 sectors trade lower, though the losses are generally modest in nature. 

The financials sector (-1.3%) is a laggard, with particular weakness across asset managers after Financial Times reported that Blue Owl Capital (OWL 11.22, -1.10, -8.90%) has halted redemptions in its private retail debt fund, which could signal some stress within the group.

Meanwhile, the energy sector (+1.1%) is a standout to the positive as oil prices continue to climb amid further reports that the U.S. is prepared for military conflict with Iran. 

That development has led to some gains across aerospace and defense names today, contributing to strength in the industrials sector (+0.7%), which is led by a solid move from Deere (DE 664.92, +71.65, +12.08%) after an earnings beat. 

Elsewhere on the earnigns front, Walmart (WMT 126.10, -0.52, -0.41%) now trades lower after some choppy action that followed its earnings release this morning. The stock initially moved lower in the premarket due to weak guidance but traded as much as 2.5% higher early in the session before retreating. 

Other notable earnings moves include EPAM Systems (EPAM 131.37, -36.32, -21.66%), eBay (EBAY 86.23, +4.05, +4.93%), and DoorDash (DASH 181.86, +8.48, +4.89%).