Daily Brief - February 02, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Market Recap Today, U.S. indices experienced a mixed trading session, with the S&P 500 closing down 0.5%, the Nasdaq slipping 0.7%, while the Dow Jones managed a slight gain of 0.2%. The Russell 2000 was notably weaker, dropping 1.2% as small-cap stocks faced headwinds from broader market uncertainties. Overall sentiment was cautious as investors digested various earnings reports and economic data, with volatility persisting amidst concerns over inflation and potential Federal Reserve policy changes. Trading volumes reflected a reduction in activity compared to previous sessions, suggesting a wait-and-see approach from many investors. Despite some strong earnings reports, particularly in the technology sector, the broader market struggled to maintain upward momentum as global economic fears and geopolitical tensions weighed on investor confidence. ## Top Stories That Moved Markets - **Google Stock Hits Record High**: Shares of **$GOOGL** soared to an all-time high today, largely driven by strong performance metrics and ongoing expansion in its AI initiatives. This rally placed Google among a select group of 14 stocks making it onto best stock lists, signaling robust investor confidence in its growth prospects. - **Palantir Sees Stronger-Than-Expected Sales Outlook**: Following a robust earnings report, **$PLTR** shares surged as the company reported a significant increase in US commercial revenue. The strong outlook for future performance has raised optimism about the company’s growth trajectory in the AI and defense markets. - **Oracle Plans Major Fundraising for AI**: **$ORCL** announced a plan to raise up to $50 billion for its AI infrastructure buildout, which, while seen as a sign of confidence in tech growth, initially caused its shares to fall slightly as investors weighed the implications of such a large capital raise. - **Disney Stock Tumbles on Weak Guidance**: Shares of **$DIS** dropped sharply after the company reported lower-than-expected profits and provided a cautious outlook for its parks division, which had been a key revenue driver. This prompted concerns about the effects of rising operational costs and competition. - **Tyson Foods Beats Estimates Amid Strong Chicken Demand**: **$TSN** reported a notable earnings beat, driven by robust chicken sales, which helped the stock rise despite broader market declines. ## Biggest Winners - **$GOOGL** - +6.2% - Strong earnings and record stock price. - **$PLTR** - +5.8% - Robust sales outlook and positive earnings report. - **$TSN** - +4.5% - Solid demand in chicken products, beating earnings expectations. - **$ORCL** - +3.1% - Positive market reaction to AI infrastructure funding announcement. - **$AMD** - +2.4% - Upbeat forecasts ahead of earnings, reflecting confidence in growth. ## Biggest Losers - **$DIS** - -8.5% - Weaker-than-expected guidance and profit miss. - **$NFLX** - -5.6% - Concerns over subscriber growth amid increased competition. - **$NIO** - -4.2% - Ongoing concerns about EV demand in China. - **$HSY** - -3.8% - Market reaction to disappointing quarterly results. - **$F** - -3.0% - Decline following concerns over EV sales and market share. ## Sector Scorecard - **Leaders:** Technology and Consumer Staples - The technology sector benefited from positive earnings reports from major players like **$GOOGL** and **$PLTR**, while consumer staples showed resilience amid inflation concerns. - **Laggards:** Consumer Discretionary and Materials - Consumer discretionary stocks struggled with earnings misses from key players like **$DIS**, while materials faced pressures from falling commodity prices. ## After-Hours Movers **$PLTR** - Shares surged after the company reported stronger-than-expected earnings and provided an optimistic sales outlook, indicating robust demand for its AI-driven solutions. ## Crypto & Commodities Gold prices continued to decline, down over 5% today, amidst a broader sell-off in precious metals. Bitcoin also experienced volatility, stabilizing around $77,000 after a brief dip below that level earlier in the day. ## Tomorrow Setup Looking ahead to tomorrow's session, investors will be focused on upcoming economic data, including jobless claims and factory orders, which could influence market sentiment. Key earnings reports from major companies like **$AAPL** and **$MSFT** are also on the horizon, potentially providing further direction. Traders should remain vigilant regarding geopolitical developments and inflationary pressures, which continue to pose risks to market stability.