Wall Street zigzags as earnings split market; UnitedHealth sinks while Corning jumps on Meta deal

U.S. stocks swung through a choppy session on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as investors weighed mixed corporate earnings and major deal headlines. The Associated Press reported the S&P 500 rose while the Dow fell, reflecting a market where big sector-specific moves mattered more than broad direction. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))

One of the day’s biggest drags came from health insurance. UnitedHealth shares dropped sharply after issuing a revenue forecast that disappointed investors, and the move weighed on peers exposed to Medicare Advantage dynamics. The AP noted that the selling pressure in the group helped pull the Dow lower even as parts of the market advanced. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))

On the upside, Corning surged after announcing a $6 billion deal with Meta Platforms, highlighting how a single corporate agreement can shift sentiment—particularly in industries linked to large-scale infrastructure and technology buildouts. The AP also pointed to strength in several companies that beat earnings expectations or announced shareholder-friendly actions such as buybacks. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))

Investors were also positioning ahead of the Federal Reserve’s January 2026 meeting decision, widely expected to hold rates steady, while watching for any hints about the pace of potential cuts later in the year. Meanwhile, the AP reported that consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 2014, a datapoint that can influence expectations for spending, corporate revenue growth, and rate policy. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))

Key market movers highlighted in reporting

• UnitedHealth: sharp decline after downbeat revenue outlook. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))
• Corning: big jump after announcing a $6B deal with Meta. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))
• UPS: shares rose even as the company announced job cuts. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))

Why investors are sensitive right now

When market valuations are high, earnings guidance and policy expectations can dominate day-to-day trading. With the Fed’s next move under a microscope, investors often react strongly to any signal that growth or inflation could push rates higher for longer—or, conversely, that weakness could force faster easing later in 2026. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/9490a04190f0cb649966b3b8d7724bef?utm_source=openai))