Stock Market Update
14-Jul-26 12:35 ET
Defensive sectors lag
Dow -100.32
at 52398.32,
Nasdaq +211.49
at 26105.67,
S&P +20.49
at 7535.83
[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages remain mostly higher, little changed from previous levels at midday.
While semiconductor stocks and other select mega-cap tech names move higher today, the defensive health care (-1.9%) and consumer staples (-1.0%) sectors are lagging behind.
Within the health care sector, weakness encompasses nearly all of its components, with HCA (HCA 361.59, -29.15, -7.46%) a particular laggard after previewing stronger second-quarter results but lowering its 2026 earnings guidance, citing a larger-than-expected unfavorable payer mix shift tied to health insurance exchange coverage losses.
Meanwhile, Brown-Forman Corporation (BF-B 25.05, -1.20, -4.57%) is the worst performer in the consumer staples sector after confirming Lawson Whiting will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective upon the appointment of a successor.
