The US equities market displayed a mixed performance on January 12, 2026, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average posting modest gains, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed its peers. The S&P 500 edged 0.15% higher, while the Dow and Nasdaq rose 0.16% and 0.26%, respectively. The overall sentiment remained uncertain, with investors weighing the implications of mixed economic signals and corporate earnings reports.

Sector performance was characterized by a rotation, with Consumer Staples leading the way, up 1.2%, followed by Industrial and Materials, which gained 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively. In contrast, Communication, Energy, and Financial sectors lagged, declining 0.3%, 0.7%, and 0.8%, respectively. Key movers included Johnson & Johnson, which surged 2.6% on strong momentum, followed by Avago and Costco Wholesale, which jumped 2.1% and 2.0%, respectively. These stock movements contributed to the mixed signals that have left traders uncertain about the market’s direction in the near term.