Dow Jones: Blue Chip Average Hits Record as Nasdaq Eyes 50-Day MA Breakout Today

Stocks Mixed as Rotation Back Into Value Resumes

The major U.S. stock indexes are putting in a mixed but mostly better performance shortly after the opening on Tuesday, with the blue-chip Dow leading the way with another all-time high. After a two-day reprieve, it looks like investors have returned to rotating out of technology issues and into old-economy, more value-oriented sectors of the market.

At 15:32 GMT, Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading 50445.77, up 309.90 or +0.62%. The S&P 500 Index is at 6986.10, up 21.28 or +0.31% and the Nasdaq Composite is trading 23307.477, up 68.807 or +0.30%.

Sector Performance: Consumer Discretionary Leads

Nine out of 11 sectors are in the green, led by Consumer Discretionary (+0.95%), Utilities (+0.69%), and Financials (+0.47%). Technology is in the middle of the pack with a 0.32% gain, while Communications is the worst performer with a 0.85% loss.

Dow Movers: Disney and AmEx Lead

The five best-performing Dow stocks are Walt Disney (+2.72%), American Express (+2.27%), Salesforce (+2.11%), Microsoft (+1.86%), and Home Depot (+1.51%). Bringing up the rear are Amgen (-1.33%), Coca-Cola (-1.32%), Merck (-0.90%), Chevron (-0.61%), and Nvidia (-0.44%).

Story Stocks: TSMC Hits Record, Coca-Cola Misses

Story stocks include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which rose 3% after the company posted its highest monthly revenue ever. DuPont shares rose 2% after releasing better-than-expected earnings. Coca-Cola is down about 3% after reporting a fourth-quarter revenue miss and forecasting modest growth. CVS Health fell 2% after the firm maintained its 2026 revenue guidance at $400 billion. Analysts were looking for a revenue boost of $409.77 billion.

Retail Sales Disappoint for December

In economic news, consumer activity slowed sharply for the December holiday shopping season, with retail sales coming in flat on the month following a 0.6% increase in November. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had expected an increase of 0.4%. Excluding autos, sales also were unchanged, against the estimate for a 0.3% increase.

S&P 500: Eyes on All-Time High

Technically, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is pushing higher, with investors setting their sights on the all-time high at 7002.28. Upside momentum is picking up since the benchmark index crossed to the strong side of a Fibonacci level at 6917.50 and a 50% level at 6891.25. Both are new support.

The rally started on Friday, when buyers stepped in following a plunge through the 50-day moving average at 6892.84. The market accelerated to the upside once buyers regained this technical indicator.

Nasdaq: Testing 50-Day MA

The Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) is trying to extend its two-day surge, with the 50-day moving average at 23398.12 its next target. We could see selling on the initial test of this level, but there is also the chance of an acceleration to the upside if buyers take it out with conviction. This could open the door to further upside action, with 24019.99 a near-term possibility.

Dow: New Record High

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading at a record high at 50512.79. The blue-chip average accelerated to the upside after it crossed to the strong side of a long-term trendline at 49850.00 today. This is new support. The major support and trend indicator is the 50-day moving average at 48737.24.

More Information in our Economic Calendar.