S&P Information Tech sector +0.31% The tech sector is trading higher today, along with gains in the broader market. Semiconductors are showing relative strength as well with the SOX trading 0.9% higher. Within the chip index, STM (+2.9%) is a notable standout. Among other major indices, the SPY is trading 0.6% higher today, as are both the QQQ and the NASDAQ on the session. Among tech bellwethers, GOOG (+1.0%) is showing notable strength, while FB (-2.2%) is under pressure.

In tech earnings last night, AVGO (+2.5%) posted a slight beat and guided lower, VRSK (+9.4%) reported a beat, and TIVO (+2.4%) posted a miss and guided lower. In news, CLWR (-0.9%) announced that it elected to take the $80 mln March draw from S (+0.4%) and has continued discussions with DISH (-0.2%) about its proposal. Also, AAPL (-0.6%) is set to hold its annual shareholder meeting today at 12 ET. Among rumors, VOD (+1.6%) has suspended its plans to put a takeover bid on Kabel Deutschland Holding, according to reports. Among notable analyst upgrades this morning in the tech space, Argus upgraded NOK (+4.2%) to Buy and GOOG (+1.0%) was upgraded to Buy at BofA/Merrill. Among downgrades, VRSN (+0.3%) was downgraded to Neutral at Credit Suisse and Robert W. Baird downgraded INVN (-3.9%) to Neutral. GRPN (+2.5%) is a notable name in tech scheduled to report quarterly results today after the close.

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