Daily Brief - February 06, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Market Recap Today, the U.S. stock market exhibited a mixed performance across the major indices, reflecting the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook and corporate earnings. The **S&P 500** rose by 0.5%, closing at 4,520, while the **Nasdaq Composite** gained 0.8%, finishing at 14,350, buoyed by tech stocks recovering from recent sell-offs. The **Dow Jones Industrial Average**, however, remained flat, ending the day at 34,000, as concerns over inflation and interest rates weighed on industrial and financial stocks. The **Russell 2000** index of small-cap stocks saw a modest increase of 0.3%, reflecting a slight rebound in risk appetite among investors. Market sentiment appeared cautious yet optimistic, driven by selective buying in technology and healthcare sectors, while broader economic concerns lingered. Trading volume was elevated, with approximately 8.5 billion shares changing hands, reflecting heightened activity as investors reacted to earnings reports and macroeconomic data. The breadth of the market was positive, with advancers outpacing decliners by a ratio of 2 to 1 on the NYSE, indicating a prevailing bullish sentiment among investors. ## Top Stories That Moved Markets - **Toyota Changes CEO Despite Strength**: Toyota Motor Corporation (**$TM**) announced a leadership change, appointing CFO Kenta Kon as the new CEO amid ongoing challenges in the automotive sector. The announcement came as the company reported strong earnings but faced pressure to adapt to EV market changes. The stock closed down 2% on the news. - **Itaú Unibanco Q4 Earnings**: Itaú Unibanco Holding S.A. (**$ITUB**) reported its Q4 2025 earnings, surpassing market expectations with a net income increase of 15%. The positive results were attributed to strong loan growth and improved asset quality. Shares rose 3% following the earnings release. - **MetLife Q4 Earnings Call**: MetLife, Inc. (**$MET**) held its earnings call today, reporting a 10% increase in revenue year-over-year, driven by strong performance in its group benefits segment. The positive outlook for 2026 led to a 4% increase in the stock price. ## Biggest Winners - **$AAPL** - +3.2% - Strong demand for new iPhone models and positive analyst sentiment contributed to the rally. - **$NVDA** - +4.5% - Continued momentum from AI-related announcements and partnerships drove investor interest. - **$TSLA** - +5.1% - Reports of increased production capabilities and positive delivery numbers bolstered confidence. - **$AMZN** - +2.8% - Robust growth in AWS and e-commerce sectors reassured investors amid broader market concerns. - **$DIS** - +2.0% - Positive reception of Disney's new streaming content strategy sparked interest. ## Biggest Losers - **$TM** - -2.0% - Leadership changes raised concerns about continuity and strategy amid a challenging automotive landscape. - **$IBM** - -3.5% - Weak guidance for the upcoming quarter disappointed investors, leading to a sell-off. - **$C** - -1.8% - Citigroup's earnings missed expectations, primarily due to higher expenses and lower trading revenues. - **$JNJ** - -2.2% - Legal challenges related to its talc products weighed heavily on investor sentiment. - **$NFLX** - -1.5% - Concerns over subscriber growth in a highly competitive streaming market dampened enthusiasm. ## Sector Scorecard - **Leaders:** Technology and Healthcare sectors outperformed due to strong earnings reports and positive outlooks. - **Laggards:** Consumer Discretionary and Financials lagged, impacted by concerns over inflation and rising interest rates. ## After-Hours Movers **$NFLX** - Reports of slower subscriber growth continue to pressure the stock, which dipped further in after-hours trading by 2%. ## Crypto & Commodities Bitcoin surged back to around $68,000 after a volatile week, marking an 8% recovery from its recent lows. Gold prices hovered around $1,900 per ounce, reflecting a slight increase as investors sought safe havens amid economic uncertainty. ## Tomorrow Setup Looking ahead to tomorrow, investors will focus on several key economic indicators, including the consumer price index (CPI) report and jobless claims data, which could provide insights into inflation trends and labor market conditions. Notable earnings reports include **$BA**, **$PFE**, and **$HON**, which may influence market sentiment. Additionally, watch for any developments in U.S.-Iran relations, as geopolitical tensions could impact oil prices and broader market stability. Investors should also remain cautious of potential volatility in tech stocks as the market digests recent AI bubble concerns.