Tech Focus - February 17, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Tech Sector Wrap Today, the tech sector experienced a mixed trading session amid heightened investor anxiety surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) disruptions and broader macroeconomic concerns. Major indices fluctuated, with many tech stocks facing pressure as fears of potential overvaluation and regulatory scrutiny loomed large. A notable selloff in AI-sensitive stocks contributed to the overall volatility, prompting some investors to reassess their positions in the sector. Despite these challenges, there were pockets of strength, particularly among companies that reported earnings or provided optimistic guidance. Positive developments in AI partnerships and strategic investments also bolstered the performance of select stocks, contrasting with the broader market's unease. The ongoing narrative surrounding AI's impact on various sectors continues to create both opportunities and risks for investors. ## Magnificent 7 Performance **$NVDA** - +5.2% - Nvidia's stock surged following the announcement of an expanded partnership with Meta Platforms to utilize millions of AI chips in their data center build-out, reigniting investor enthusiasm for its pivotal role in AI infrastructure. **$AAPL** - +3.4% - Apple's shares rebounded as analysts noted that the recent selloff was unwarranted, particularly ahead of its upcoming product event in March which is expected to showcase new AI capabilities and a more affordable iPhone model. **$MSFT** - -1.9% - Microsoft faced downward pressure, as analysts downgraded the stock amid concerns over its AI strategy's execution compared to competitors, despite still having a solid cloud business. **$GOOGL** - +1.8% - Alphabet's stock saw modest gains after the company announced its upcoming I/O developer conference where AI advancements are expected to be a key focus, boosting sentiment among investors. **$META** - +4.5% - Meta's shares rallied on the back of its partnership with Nvidia, which promises to enhance its AI capabilities, helping to alleviate investor concerns about its path forward in a competitive landscape. **$AMZN** - +2.1% - Amazon's stock rose as it ended a nine-day losing streak, driven by reassessments of its AI investments and cloud computing strategy that remain crucial for future growth. **$TSLA** - -3.4% - Tesla's stock fell as investors reacted to news of its plans to integrate the Grok AI chatbot into its vehicles, sparking concerns over regulatory scrutiny and potential backlash amid ongoing investigations. ## Semiconductor Recap **$NVDA**, **$AMD**, **$AVGO**, **$INTC** - Nvidia's shares climbed sharply, leading semiconductor stocks after the announcement of its AI partnership with Meta. AMD and Broadcom also saw upward movement, with AMD gaining 2.5% as speculation about a new product release circulated, while Broadcom rose 1.7% on positive supply chain news. In contrast, Intel faced selling pressure, dropping 2.1% as investors remained cautious about its competitive position against rivals in the AI chip market. ## Software & Cloud **$CRM**, **$NOW**, **$SNOW**, **$PLTR** - Salesforce's stock gained 3.2%, buoyed by optimistic earnings forecasts amid its push for greater AI integration. ServiceNow also saw a 2.8% increase as analysts maintained a buy rating, suggesting strong demand for its cloud solutions. Snowflake's shares rose 1.5% on positive data analytics momentum, while Palantir experienced a notable decline of 4.5% due to mixed earnings sentiment amid broader tech sell-offs. ## Tech After-Hours No significant earnings or news announcements reported post-market that could impact the tech sector. ## Tomorrow's Tech Watch Investors will be closely monitoring upcoming earnings reports from key players such as Palo Alto Networks, which is anticipated to provide insights into the cybersecurity landscape amidst rising AI concerns. The tech sector will also be influenced by any developments from ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, with potential implications for global markets. Additionally, updates on AI regulatory frameworks could sway investor sentiment, especially in light of recent scrutiny faced by major tech firms.