Open: Stocks mixed as tech benchmark, small-caps lag

U.S. equity benchmarks were mixed shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. SPY, which tracks the S&P 500, was essentially flat at $778.12, while Dow tracker DIA rose 0.11% to $518.47. Nasdaq 100 tracker QQQ fell 0.33% to $743.58, and Russell 2000 tracker IWM lost 0.44% to $276.68.

Microsoft climbed 1.63% to $549.95 and Apple gained 1.16% to $344.92, bucking the decline in the technology-heavy Nasdaq tracker. Nvidia slipped 0.54% to $225.10. Exxon Mobil advanced 1.07% to $173.99, while JPMorgan Chase edged up 0.27% to $335.19.

Smaller stocks showed steeper losses: Intuitive Machines fell 3.97% to $12.35, Aehr Test Systems dropped 3.36% to $75.55 and Plug Power declined 3.09% to $1.57. Among mid-caps, IonQ lost 2.70% to $35.29 and Celsius Holdings slipped 2.08% to $27.80. Micro-cap trading was mixed, with Duos Technologies down 2.08% at $6.60 and ClearSign Technologies up 1.69% at $3.01.

Corporate headlines centered on earnings and business expansion. Reuters reported that Citi's profit jumped 40% on higher investment banking, services and wealth revenue, while CNBC reported that UnitedHealth topped estimates and raised its profit outlook. Reuters also reported that Visa received approval to prepare for domestic business in China.

Geopolitical risks remained in focus, with CNBC reporting that Iran was fortifying nuclear sites in preparation for possible U.S. strikes after the midterms. Reuters reported a warning from Britain's spy chief about increased Iranian and Russian hybrid campaigns in the country. As early trading develops, watch whether Microsoft and Apple retain their gains and whether small-caps stabilize, with IWM at $276.68 just above its session low of $276.6.