US STOCKS HOLD RELATIVELY STEADY AS SEVERAL AI COMPANIES SWING LOWER

What happened: U.S. stocks rose Tuesday after strong quarterly profits from Equifax, Hasbro and Halliburton, while AI-related stocks swung and oil prices eased. Key numbers: S&P 500 up 0.6%, Dow up 667 points or 1.3%, Nasdaq up 0.5%. Equifax rose 10.7%, Hasbro 5.9%, Halliburton 0.8%. Brent crude fell 2.5% to $106.78. Why it matters: Profit growth above analyst expectations has supported records for U.S. stocks despite worries about inflation and rates. AI stocks remain the market's center of uneasiness, and GM's 2026 profit forecast midpoint fell short of expectations.

U.S. stocks rose Tuesday after strong quarterly profits from Equifax, Hasbro and Halliburton, while AI-related stocks swung and oil prices eased.

Profit growth above analyst expectations has supported records for U.S. stocks despite worries about inflation and rates. AI stocks remain the market's center of uneasiness, and GM's 2026 profit forecast midpoint fell short of expectations.