Open: Dow, small-caps rise as technology shares lag

U.S. stocks were mixed shortly after the opening bell Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. SPY, which tracks the S&P 500, rose 0.15% to $767.64, while Nasdaq 100 tracker QQQ fell 0.35% to $715.87. Dow tracker DIA gained 0.81% to $523.11, and Russell 2000 tracker IWM advanced 1.03% to $274.08.

JPMorgan Chase rose 1.50% to $338.54, standing out among the mega-caps. Nvidia fell 1.20% to $214.49, Microsoft lost 0.79% to $529.32 and Apple slipped 0.45% to $341.40. The technology weakness came alongside a CNBC headline reporting a slide in data-center stocks after a Korean IPO plunged 30%.

Among smaller companies, Intuitive Machines dropped 2.61% to $10.46 and Aehr Test Systems fell 2.19% to $61.94, diverging from the broader small-cap advance. Micro-cap ClearSign Technologies jumped 5.56% to $2.47, while Duos Technologies eased 0.18% to $5.47. Mid-caps Celsius Holdings and IonQ gained 0.91% and 0.52%, respectively.

Corporate headlines included GE Aerospace raising its 2026 profit forecast as services strength drove growth, according to Reuters. Middle East developments also remained in focus: Reuters reported that most Gulf bourses retreated after the Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi energy and airport sites, while Britain said it would carry out defensive air missions over Saudi Arabia. Exxon Mobil edged down 0.14% to $178.03.

Next on the earnings watch is SpaceX, which CNBC reported is due to report after the bell. During the session, attention will be on whether Dow and small-cap strength persists alongside the weakness in technology shares.