Daily Brief - February 13, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Market Recap Today's trading session saw mixed performance across major U.S. indices. The **S&P 500** closed down 0.3%, while the **Nasdaq** managed to gain 0.5%. The **Dow Jones Industrial Average** fell by 0.4%, and the **Russell 2000** dropped 1.1%. Market sentiment was cautious following the release of the January Consumer Price Index (CPI), which showed inflation at 2.4%, a figure lower than expected. This led to a complex trading environment, where investors weighed the implications of inflation data against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about AI disruptions in various sectors. Overall market breadth reflected this cautious sentiment, with advancing issues slightly outpacing decliners. Trading volume was below average, indicating a lack of conviction among investors. The mixed results and cautious trading suggest that participants are still trying to gauge the sustainability of recent market trends amid macroeconomic uncertainties. ## Top Stories That Moved Markets - **Consumer Price Index: Inflation At 2.4% In January**: The CPI report revealed a year-over-year inflation rate of 2.4%, which was lower than analysts' expectations. This data is seen as a catalyst for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts later in the year. The market reacted positively to the news, particularly in tech stocks, although broader market sentiment remained subdued. - **Wendy's (WEN) Sales Decline**: Wendy's reported disappointing sales figures, attributing the decline to persistent struggles in the U.S. market. The stock fell sharply in response, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the fast-food giant amid competitive pressures and changing consumer preferences. - **DraftKings (DKNG) Earnings Miss**: DraftKings shares tumbled after the company reported earnings that missed expectations, coupled with a cautious outlook for 2026. The market reacted negatively, reflecting investor concerns about growth in the competitive online gambling sector. ## Biggest Winners **$RIVN** - +20% - Rivian shares surged after providing optimistic delivery guidance for its upcoming R2 vehicle launch in Q2 2026, signaling a potential turnaround for the electric vehicle manufacturer. **$ROKU** - +15% - Roku's stock jumped following strong Q4 earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, driven by a significant increase in premium subscriptions. **$AMAT** - +12% - Applied Materials saw its shares rise after reporting robust earnings and an optimistic outlook for the semiconductor sector, bolstered by AI-related demand. **$ENB** - +8% - Enbridge's stock gained after announcing a new partnership aimed at expanding its renewable energy portfolio, appealing to ESG-focused investors. **$AAPL** - +5% - Apple shares continued to climb on positive sentiment regarding upcoming hardware and AI updates, maintaining investor optimism about its growth trajectory. ## Biggest Losers **$WEN** - -10% - Wendy's stock fell sharply after reporting disappointing sales figures, raising concerns about its market position and profitability. **$DKNG** - -8% - DraftKings shares plummeted following a significant earnings miss and a cautious outlook, reflecting investor skepticism about its growth prospects. **$PINS** - -6% - Pinterest's stock declined as tariff impacts on ad spending by major customers weighed heavily on its fourth-quarter results. **$CLOV** - -5% - Clover Health saw its shares retreat amid ongoing scrutiny over its business model and competitive challenges in the healthcare sector. **$HIMS** - -4% - Hims & Hers faced a sell-off driven by investor anxiety regarding legal risks and future profitability amid rising competition in the telehealth space. ## Sector Scorecard - **Leaders:** Technology, Consumer Discretionary - The tech sector showed strength today, buoyed by positive earnings reports from companies like Roku and Applied Materials. Consumer discretionary stocks also benefitted from optimism around upcoming consumer spending trends. - **Laggards:** Consumer Staples, Financials - Consumer staples lagged, particularly with Wendy’s disappointing sales impacting the sector. Financials faced headwinds as investors recalibrated expectations following inflation data, leading to mixed performance among bank stocks. ## Tomorrow Setup - **Key Events:** Investors will be looking ahead to further economic data releases, including retail sales figures, which could provide more insight into consumer spending trends. Additionally, the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting is expected to draw significant attention as analysts speculate on future monetary policy. - **Stocks with Momentum:** Keep an eye on **$RIVN**, **$ROKU**, and **$AMAT** as potential continuations of today’s upward movements. Conversely, **$WEN** and **$DKNG** may be under pressure as investors reassess their growth outlooks. - **Risk Factors:** Ongoing concerns regarding AI disruptions and inflation rates could create volatility in the market. Additionally, geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran, could impact market sentiment and trading conditions.