Nvidia Boost Backs Midday Gains for Major Indexes

Buzz over the upcoming tech earnings deluge after the close is sending stocks higher for the second straight day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) are both up triple digits, the tech-heavy latter reclaiming 23,000. A pre-earnings Nvidia (NVDA) boost also has the S&P 500 Index (SPX) comfortably in the black, as investors eye a note out of Wolfe Research that suggested the AI disruption is mostly "overblown." Elsewhere in optimism, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) is heading for its lowest close in two weeks.

• Struggling blue-chip stock lands upgrade.
• Fireworks after Nvidia earnings? Not so fast.
• Plus, pre-earnings SNPS options buzz; quantum's halo lift; and GDDY sells off.

Synopsys Inc (NASDAQ:SNPS) is seeing an unusual amount of options activity today, as investors gear up for the company's fiscal first-quarter earnings, due out after the close today. So far, 15,000 calls have been exchanged, 19 times the average intraday amount. Seeing the most attention are the April 500 and 550 calls. SNPS has struggled since hitting a record high of $651.73 in late July, shedding 25% over the past six months.

Quantum computing maven IonQ Inc (NYSE:IONQ) is one of the top stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) today, last seen up 8.2% at $34.24. Last night, the company was awarded a contract with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD IDIQ program. The shares recently consolidated around $30 and have taken a 23% haircut in 2026. Longer term, the growth stock is still up 15%.

GoDaddy Inc (NYSE:GDDY) stock is one of worst names on the NYSE today, last seen down 16.2% at $77.34, after the company's weaker-than-expected annual revenue outlook overshadowed a first-quarter top-line beat. Two analysts have slashed their price target in response, including Wells Fargo to $77 from $145. GDDY has lost 56% over the past 12 months and is headed for its worst day since March 2020, with the 30-day moving average keeping a tight lid on shares.