2026.1.27 US Market Close | Indices mixed amid Big Tech earnings hopes and pre-FOMC caution

The US stock market finished mixed as anticipation for Big Tech earnings clashed with policy risks in the healthcare sector. Investors remained on the sidelines, awaiting the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) interest rate decision. - S&P 500: Gained 0.4%, hitting a new all-time high, boosted by strength in tech stocks. - Nasdaq: Climbed over 0.9% as excitement around AI grew ahead of Big Tech earnings reports. - Dow Jones Industrial Average: Dropped more than 0.8%, weighed down by a sharp decline in healthcare stocks like UnitedHealth. - Big Tech AI Rally: Major tech stocks including Microsoft, Alphabet, and Nvidia all rose, lifting the Nasdaq on earnings optimism related to AI investments. - Healthcare Sector Shock: The government's proposed 2027 Medicare payment rate increase of 0.09% fell far short of market expectations (4-6%), causing related stocks like UnitedHealth and Humana to plummet. - FOMC Caution: With a rate hold widely expected, the market adopted a wait-and-see approach, focusing on Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments regarding the future path of rate cuts. - Plunge in Consumer Confidence: The January Consumer Confidence Index fell to its lowest level since 2014, adding to concerns about an economic slowdown. - UnitedHealth Group (UNH): Tumbled over 10% after the government's Medicare payment rate proposal disappointed investors. - Nvidia (NVDA): Rose more than 2.3%, hitting a new 52-week high on continued optimism for AI chip demand. - Humana (HUM): Plunged over 20%, hit hard by the payment rate announcement due to its significant exposure to the Medicare Advantage business. - CVS Health (CVS): Dropped more than 10% amid a broader industry downturn following the Medicare payment news. - Microsoft (MSFT): Gained over 1% on expectations of AI-driven cloud growth ahead of its earnings release. - Alphabet (GOOGL): Climbed more than 1% on optimism for its AI-powered cloud and search businesses.