Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (-0.6%), Nasdaq Composite (-1.2%), and DJIA (+0.2%) continue to sit mixed as weakness in mega-cap and tech names weighs on broader strength. 

All of the "magnificent seven" stocks trade lower, pushing the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF 1.4% lower and seating the consumer discretionary (-0.3%) and communication services (-0.3%) in negative territory alongside the information technology sector (-2.0%). 

Meanwhile, the defensive consumer staples (+1.7%), utilities (+1.4%), and health care (+0.6%) sectors are posting solid gains amid the weakness in growth stocks. 

Several notable earnings-related gains also contribute to the gains, including PepsiCo (PEP 162.83, +7.63, +4.92%) and Merck (MRK 116.91, +3.54, +3.12%).