Top S&P 500 stocks to watch as Trump and Xi Jinping meet on Thursday

The S&P 500 Index is anticipated to face heightened volatility as investors focus on the upcoming high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Washington. Several major index constituents across diverse sectors are positioned to react strongly to potential diplomatic and trade outcomes emerging from the discussions. Boeing (BA) is in sharp focus amid rumors that China could substantially expand its existing 200-jet commitment up to 500 aircraft, offering significant backlog clarity. Simultaneously, Nvidia (NVDA) stands to benefit if negotiations yield further easing of semiconductor export restrictions beyond its current H200 shipments. In contrast, legacy automakers General Motors (GM) and Ford (F) face potential headwinds over administration signals that could allow Chinese automotive firms into the domestic market, which domestic carmakers warn could threaten market share. Meanwhile, energy heavyweights ExxonMobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) face downside risk if diplomatic mediation cools geopolitical tensions and dampens crude oil prices.