Major Averages Rise on Optimism for U.S.-Iran Peace Deal
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 16 2026
0mins
The major averages closed higher, supported by optimism around a potential U.S.–Iran peace deal. Comments from President Donald Trump suggesting the conflict may be nearing an end further boosted investor sentiment. Of note, the Lebanese presidency said the country's president Joseph Aoun spoke with Trump, who then stated in a social media post that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire.Meanwhile, investors also have their eyes on another spate of earnings reports, including new prints from PepsiCo, TSMC, and Travelers along with a report due from Netflix later today.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:PepsiCoreportedand affirmed its FY26 financial outlookTSMCreported better-than-expectedTravelersreportedand raised its quarterly dividendHims & Herssharesafter Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the FDA is seeking to remove 12 peptides from Category 2 restrictionsMadison Airraised $2.23B in the2. WALL STREET CALLS:Oktato Outperform at Raymond JamesQualcommto Neutral at JPMorganFlywireto Buy at BTIGFlutter Entertainmentto Sell from Buy at CitiJetBlueto Buy at Seaport Research3. AROUND THE WEB:Paramount Skydanceconfirmed that the company will commit to a 45-day exclusive window for its movies to play in theaters, Variety reportsGoogleis negotiating a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense that would let the Pentagon deploy Gemini AI models in classified settings, reversing its previous stance, The Information saysBoeingis hiring 100 to 140 factory workers a week as the company looks to replace retirees and increase staffing to support higher production rates, Reuters saysCaterpillarhas acquired the assets of Monarch Tractor, TechCrunch saysRepsolhas signed an agreement with Venezuela and state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela to regain operational control of the Petroquiriquire asset, aiming to boost production significantly, WSJ reports4. MOVERS:Aehr Test Systemswas higher after reportingfrom a hyperscale AI customerNextNavgained after Oppenheimerthe stock to OutperformPolarisrose after saying it seeson guidance from recent tariff policy changesQuidelOrthowas lower afterJinkoSolardeclined in New York after5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Abbottand cut its guidance for FY26Charles Schwab, with CEO Rick Wurster commenting, "Schwab's strong business momentum continued into 2026"ManpowerGroup, with EPS and revenue beating consensusOnto Innovationraised itsand provided guidance for Q2Wipro, with EPS in-line with consensusINDEXES:The Dow rose 115.00, or 0.24%, to 48,578.72, the Nasdaq gained 86.69, or 0.36%, to 24,102.70, and the S&P 500 advanced 18.33, or 0.26%, to 7,041.28.
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Analyst Views on ONTO
Wall Street analysts forecast ONTO stock price to fall
6 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 303.860
Low
160.00
Averages
201.67
High
260.00
Current: 303.860
Low
160.00
Averages
201.67
High
260.00
About ONTO
Onto Innovation Inc. is engaged in the design, development, manufacture and support of metrology and inspection tools for the semiconductor industry. The Company’s products include Automated Metrology Systems; Integrated Metrology Systems; Silicon Wafer All-surface Inspection/Characterization; Macro Defect Inspection; Automated Defect Classification and Pattern Analysis; Yield Analysis; Opaque Film Metrology, and others. Its products are used by silicon wafer manufacturers, semiconductor integrated circuit fabricators, and advanced packaging manufacturers operating in the semiconductor market. Its products are also used for process control in several other specialty device manufacturing markets, including light-emitting diodes, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, micro-electromechanical systems, CMOS image sensors, silicon and compound semiconductor power devices, analog devices, RF filters, and others. It also offers three advanced product lines, including FAaST, CnCV and MBIR.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
U.S. Medical Devices ETF Underperforms
- ETF Decline: The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF fell approximately 2.4% in Tuesday afternoon trading, indicating overall weakness in the sector that may undermine investor confidence in medical devices.
- Weak Individual Stocks: Within the ETF, shares of Enovis dropped about 11.9%, while Alphatec Holdings fell by approximately 8.1%, with these significant declines likely negatively impacting the ETF's overall performance.
- Market Reaction Analysis: The poor performance of the medical device sector may reflect market concerns regarding the industry's future growth potential, particularly amid increasing economic uncertainty, prompting investors to reassess their portfolios.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: As the medical devices ETF underperforms, investors may shift towards stronger-performing ETFs, leading to capital outflows from the medical device sector and further exacerbating downward pressure on the industry.
See More
Latest Wall Street Ratings Overview
- Morgan Stanley Bullish on Onto Innovation: Morgan Stanley initiates Onto Innovation with an overweight rating, citing potential upside to consensus estimates driven by its process control capabilities in both front-end and back-end operations, suggesting a favorable re-rating ahead.
- Needham Initiates Ceva as Buy: Needham launches coverage of Ceva with a Buy rating and a price target of $55, indicating a 70x P/E based on CY27 EPS estimates, as the company is positioned to benefit from AI advancements in the semiconductor sector.
- UBS Initiates Jade Biosciences as Buy: UBS rates Jade Biosciences as a Buy, highlighting its best-in-class potential, with expectations that the FDA's acceptance of shorter eGFR kidney function data will expedite enrollment in pivotal studies.
- Morgan Stanley Upgrades Ferrari: Morgan Stanley upgrades Ferrari to overweight from equal weight, raising the price target to $438, arguing that the current de-rating overstates brand risk and that the company’s wealth creation and product pipeline support a positive re-rating.
See More
Latest Ratings and Outlook from Wall Street
- Qualcomm Investor Day: Qualcomm is set to host its highly anticipated Investor Day on June 24, discussing growth and diversification strategies in the rapidly evolving AI landscape; JPMorgan maintains a neutral rating but remains optimistic about future performance.
- Nvidia Buy Reiteration: Bank of America reiterates its buy rating on Nvidia after a meeting with management, highlighting the stock's strong performance across the board, particularly following the positive outlook shared during the GTC Taipei conference.
- Tesla Rating Upgrade: JPMorgan upgrades Tesla from underperform to neutral, citing its unique vertical integration across hardware and software products, which positions the company favorably for scaling in the industry.
- Disney Price Target Increase: Rosenblatt raises Disney's price target from $121 to $126, based on optimistic projections for its movie slate, particularly with the upcoming release of Toy Story 5, which is expected to drive earnings growth.
See More
Onto Innovation Shares Pull Back 15%
- Pullback Reasons: Onto Innovation's recent 15% pullback, primarily driven by convertible-related hedging, indicates market caution regarding its future performance, potentially impacting investor confidence.
- Market Reaction Analysis: This pullback may increase short-term selling pressure on the company's stock, affecting its market performance and liquidity, especially in a high-volatility environment.
- Hedging Strategy Impact: While the convertible bond hedging strategy somewhat protects the company from market fluctuations, it may also exacerbate short-term stock volatility, increasing investment risks.
- Future Outlook: Despite facing pullback pressures, Onto Innovation must focus on its fundamentals and market demand to restore investor confidence while ensuring long-term growth potential.
See More
Guardian Point Capital Increases Stake in Ryan Specialty Holdings
- Stake Increase Details: According to an SEC filing dated May 15, 2026, Guardian Point Capital increased its stake in Ryan Specialty Holdings by 75,000 shares in Q1, representing an estimated $3.20 million trade, bringing its total holdings to 575,000 shares, indicating ongoing confidence in the company.
- Stock Price Impact: Despite the increase in shares, the quarter-end value of Ryan Specialty's stake decreased by $6.41 million due to stock price fluctuations, reflecting a 55% decline in share price over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500, which rose 28% during the same period.
- Financial Performance Highlights: Ryan Specialty reported a 15.2% year-over-year revenue increase to $795.2 million in Q1, with adjusted earnings per share rising 20.5% to $0.47, demonstrating strong growth potential even in a challenging insurance market.
- Market Outlook: Management expressed optimism about future market conditions, emphasizing ongoing investments in technology and data capabilities to strengthen competitiveness, and Guardian Point's purchase is seen as a positive response to recent stock weakness, indicating confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
See More
Semiconductor Industry's Greatest Time in History
- Industry Growth Catalyst: Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) has surged 75% year-to-date, reflecting the equipment shortages triggered by AI data center buildouts, which are expected to drive sustained growth in semiconductor capital equipment spending and further solidify its market leadership.
- Onto Innovation's Potential: Onto Innovation (NYSE:ONTO) achieved a record revenue of $266.87 million in Q4 2025 and signed a volume purchase agreement worth over $240 million with a leading HBM manufacturer, which is anticipated to boost its market share in the semiconductor equipment sector.
- Lam Research's Performance: Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) reported $5.84 billion in revenue for Q1 2023, a 23.76% year-over-year increase, with guidance for the June quarter projecting $6.60 billion, indicating that AI-driven demand is reshaping the semiconductor industry.
- ASML's Market Position: ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) delivered $10.34 billion in revenue in Q1 2026, with management raising the full-year outlook to €36 billion to €40 billion, showcasing strong expectations for chip demand and reinforcing its critical role in the global semiconductor equipment market.
See More
U.S. Medical Devices ETF Underperforms
- ETF Decline: The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF fell approximately 2.4% in Tuesday afternoon trading, indicating overall weakness in the sector that may undermine investor confidence in medical devices.
- Weak Individual Stocks: Within the ETF, shares of Enovis dropped about 11.9%, while Alphatec Holdings fell by approximately 8.1%, with these significant declines likely negatively impacting the ETF's overall performance.
- Market Reaction Analysis: The poor performance of the medical device sector may reflect market concerns regarding the industry's future growth potential, particularly amid increasing economic uncertainty, prompting investors to reassess their portfolios.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: As the medical devices ETF underperforms, investors may shift towards stronger-performing ETFs, leading to capital outflows from the medical device sector and further exacerbating downward pressure on the industry.
See More
Latest Wall Street Ratings Overview
- Morgan Stanley Bullish on Onto Innovation: Morgan Stanley initiates Onto Innovation with an overweight rating, citing potential upside to consensus estimates driven by its process control capabilities in both front-end and back-end operations, suggesting a favorable re-rating ahead.
- Needham Initiates Ceva as Buy: Needham launches coverage of Ceva with a Buy rating and a price target of $55, indicating a 70x P/E based on CY27 EPS estimates, as the company is positioned to benefit from AI advancements in the semiconductor sector.
- UBS Initiates Jade Biosciences as Buy: UBS rates Jade Biosciences as a Buy, highlighting its best-in-class potential, with expectations that the FDA's acceptance of shorter eGFR kidney function data will expedite enrollment in pivotal studies.
- Morgan Stanley Upgrades Ferrari: Morgan Stanley upgrades Ferrari to overweight from equal weight, raising the price target to $438, arguing that the current de-rating overstates brand risk and that the company’s wealth creation and product pipeline support a positive re-rating.
See More
Latest Ratings and Outlook from Wall Street
- Qualcomm Investor Day: Qualcomm is set to host its highly anticipated Investor Day on June 24, discussing growth and diversification strategies in the rapidly evolving AI landscape; JPMorgan maintains a neutral rating but remains optimistic about future performance.
- Nvidia Buy Reiteration: Bank of America reiterates its buy rating on Nvidia after a meeting with management, highlighting the stock's strong performance across the board, particularly following the positive outlook shared during the GTC Taipei conference.
- Tesla Rating Upgrade: JPMorgan upgrades Tesla from underperform to neutral, citing its unique vertical integration across hardware and software products, which positions the company favorably for scaling in the industry.
- Disney Price Target Increase: Rosenblatt raises Disney's price target from $121 to $126, based on optimistic projections for its movie slate, particularly with the upcoming release of Toy Story 5, which is expected to drive earnings growth.
See More
Onto Innovation Shares Pull Back 15%
- Pullback Reasons: Onto Innovation's recent 15% pullback, primarily driven by convertible-related hedging, indicates market caution regarding its future performance, potentially impacting investor confidence.
- Market Reaction Analysis: This pullback may increase short-term selling pressure on the company's stock, affecting its market performance and liquidity, especially in a high-volatility environment.
- Hedging Strategy Impact: While the convertible bond hedging strategy somewhat protects the company from market fluctuations, it may also exacerbate short-term stock volatility, increasing investment risks.
- Future Outlook: Despite facing pullback pressures, Onto Innovation must focus on its fundamentals and market demand to restore investor confidence while ensuring long-term growth potential.
See More
Guardian Point Capital Increases Stake in Ryan Specialty Holdings
- Stake Increase Details: According to an SEC filing dated May 15, 2026, Guardian Point Capital increased its stake in Ryan Specialty Holdings by 75,000 shares in Q1, representing an estimated $3.20 million trade, bringing its total holdings to 575,000 shares, indicating ongoing confidence in the company.
- Stock Price Impact: Despite the increase in shares, the quarter-end value of Ryan Specialty's stake decreased by $6.41 million due to stock price fluctuations, reflecting a 55% decline in share price over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500, which rose 28% during the same period.
- Financial Performance Highlights: Ryan Specialty reported a 15.2% year-over-year revenue increase to $795.2 million in Q1, with adjusted earnings per share rising 20.5% to $0.47, demonstrating strong growth potential even in a challenging insurance market.
- Market Outlook: Management expressed optimism about future market conditions, emphasizing ongoing investments in technology and data capabilities to strengthen competitiveness, and Guardian Point's purchase is seen as a positive response to recent stock weakness, indicating confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
See More
Semiconductor Industry's Greatest Time in History
- Industry Growth Catalyst: Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) has surged 75% year-to-date, reflecting the equipment shortages triggered by AI data center buildouts, which are expected to drive sustained growth in semiconductor capital equipment spending and further solidify its market leadership.
- Onto Innovation's Potential: Onto Innovation (NYSE:ONTO) achieved a record revenue of $266.87 million in Q4 2025 and signed a volume purchase agreement worth over $240 million with a leading HBM manufacturer, which is anticipated to boost its market share in the semiconductor equipment sector.
- Lam Research's Performance: Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) reported $5.84 billion in revenue for Q1 2023, a 23.76% year-over-year increase, with guidance for the June quarter projecting $6.60 billion, indicating that AI-driven demand is reshaping the semiconductor industry.
- ASML's Market Position: ASML (NASDAQ:ASML) delivered $10.34 billion in revenue in Q1 2026, with management raising the full-year outlook to €36 billion to €40 billion, showcasing strong expectations for chip demand and reinforcing its critical role in the global semiconductor equipment market.
See More
