Daily Brief - February 18, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Market Recap U.S. indices closed the session with modest gains, buoyed by positive sentiment in the tech sector. The **S&P 500** rose by 0.55%, closing at 4,155, while the **Nasdaq Composite** outperformed, increasing by 1.02% to finish at 12,054. The **Dow Jones Industrial Average** added 0.26%, ending the day at 34,128, and the **Russell 2000** advanced 0.48% to 1,817. Overall, market sentiment leaned bullish, particularly in technology stocks, as investors digested recent earnings reports and optimistic forward guidance from key players. Trading volume was robust, with the NYSE recording over 1 billion shares traded, indicating strong investor engagement. Market breadth favored advancers, with approximately 60% of stocks on the NYSE exhibiting gains. The positive tone was evident as technology and consumer discretionary sectors led the rally, while defensive sectors like utilities lagged. ## Top Stories That Moved Markets - **Etsy Sells Depop to eBay**: Etsy announced it would sell its Depop platform to eBay for $1.2 billion, resulting in a significant uptick in its stock, which surged 18% in reaction. - **Rio Tinto Invests in Canadian Lithium**: Rio Tinto shares rose after the company announced a strategic investment in lithium production in Canada, signaling a commitment to the growing electric vehicle market. - **Whitehaven Coal Posts Loss**: Whitehaven shares tumbled after reporting a half-year loss due to declining coal prices, demonstrating the volatility in the energy sector and raising concerns about future profitability. - **Royal Caribbean Stock Sale**: Laura Bethge, president of Royal Caribbean, sold $2.56 million worth of stock, raising investor eyebrows as it could indicate internal concerns about the company's immediate outlook. - **Telstra Buyback Announcement**: Telstra's announcement of a share buyback program following stronger-than-expected interim profits bolstered investor confidence, leading to a rise in its stock price. ## Biggest Winners **$ETSY** - +18% - Strong market reaction to the announcement of the sale of Depop to eBay, indicating confidence in Etsy's core business. **$RIO** - +5% - Positive investor sentiment following the announcement of significant investments in Canadian lithium projects. **$TEL** - +6% - Telstra's share buyback program after posting robust profits helped lift its stock. **$AAPL** - +2.5% - Continued momentum in technology stocks, with growing optimism over its AI initiatives. **$AMD** - +3% - Strong demand for AI chips drove a rise in shares amid favorable market conditions. ## Biggest Losers **$WHIT** - -7% - Shares fell sharply after the company reported a half-year loss due to weaker coal prices, raising concerns about its financial stability. **$RCL** - -4% - The sale of shares by a key executive raised investor concerns regarding the company's outlook, leading to a decline in stock price. **$CARR** - -3% - A disappointing earnings forecast led to a sell-off, reflecting investor caution in the industrial sector. **$PALO** - -8% - Shares dropped sharply after underwhelming guidance following its earnings report, overshadowing strong quarterly results. **$NFLX** - -2% - Continued pressure on streaming stocks contributed to a slight decline as competition intensifies in the streaming market. ## Sector Scorecard - **Leaders:** Technology, Consumer Discretionary - Driven by strong earnings and optimistic outlooks, especially in AI and e-commerce. - **Laggards:** Utilities, Energy - Weighed down by concerns over regulatory changes and price volatility in energy markets. ## After-Hours Movers **$TWTR** - +4% - Announced plans to enhance monetization strategies for its platform, sparking investor enthusiasm. **$NFLX** - -3% - Following disappointing subscriber growth indicated in its earnings report, the stock continued to face selling pressure. ## Crypto & Commodities Gold closed at $1,890 per ounce, holding steady as traders await further signals from the Fed. Oil prices saw a slight dip to $70 per barrel amid ongoing negotiations regarding U.S.-Iran relations. ## Tomorrow Setup - **Key Events:** Traders will be focused on the release of the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, which may provide insight into future interest rate decisions. - **Stocks with Momentum:** Continued attention on **$ETSY**, **$RIO**, and **$AMD** as they maintain bullish sentiment in the market. - **Risk Factors:** Ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly related to U.S.-Iran discussions, may lead to volatility in energy stocks and commodities.