U.S. Stock Market Navigates Mixed Open Amid Tech Weakness and Geopolitical Calm

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market opened with mixed sentiment as investors reacted to corporate earnings and easing geopolitical tensions [1] - Major indices showed modest movements, with a notable rotation from mega-cap technology stocks towards small-cap companies [1] Major Market Indexes - The S&P 500 rose 0.05% to 6916 points, recovering from earlier losses, but is down 0.4% for the week [2] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed at 49,384.01 after a 0.6% increase, nearing the psychological 50,000 mark [3] - The Nasdaq Composite, after a 0.9% gain to close at 23,436.02, experienced a subdued open, indicating a shift in investor focus [4] Small-Cap Performance - Small-cap ETFs have led the market rally with year-to-date gains exceeding 7%, contrasting with the flat performance of mega-cap tech ETFs [4] - The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) climbed 3.3%, attracting significant fresh capital, signaling broader market recovery interest [4] Upcoming Earnings - The fourth-quarter 2025 earnings season is underway, with S&P 500 companies expected to report an earnings growth of 8.8% year-over-year, potentially reaching around 12% [6] - Key companies reporting today include Schlumberger Limited, Ericsson, and Capital One Financial, among others [6][7] Economic Indicators - Today's focus includes preliminary PMI data and final January Consumer Sentiment figures, with further insights expected next week [8] - The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index is projected to show a 0.2% month-over-month increase, with year-over-year readings at 2.8% [9] Corporate Developments - Intel shares fell 13% in premarket trading after a weaker-than-expected first-quarter outlook, despite surpassing fourth-quarter earnings estimates [14] - TikTok finalized a deal to avert a U.S. ban, involving a joint venture with Oracle and retaining a 19.9% stake for ByteDance [14] - Capital One Financial's shares declined after announcing the acquisition of fintech startup Brex for $5.15 billion while missing fourth-quarter earnings estimates [14] - Amazon is reportedly planning layoffs across various divisions, although its shares remained relatively unchanged [14] - Microsoft is noted for its sluggish performance, contributing to the drag on traditional market-cap-weighted indices, while Nvidia remains a focus for investors [14]