Day Trade Cheat Sheet - February 23, 2026 (EOD)

 ## TODAY'S GRADE: C- A challenging trading day marked by broad market declines and sector rotation, with few bright spots amid tariff and AI-related uncertainties. ## HOW INDEXES TRADED **SPY:** -1.02% - trending lower with steady selling pressure **QQQ:** -1.03% - steady decline, pressured by tech weakness and AI fears **IWM:** -1.56% - underperformed, reflecting small-cap vulnerability amid risk-off sentiment ## BIGGEST MOVERS ### Winners **$MYGN** +26.57% - strong Q4 earnings and revenue growth amid AI-related optimism **$TARS** +14.10% - solid Q4 results and narrowing losses, driving investor interest **$SIBN** +11.18% - robust earnings and dividend yield appeal in a defensive niche ### Losers **$IBM** -12.33% - heavy selloff triggered by new Anthropic AI tool concerns and AI disruption fears **$CRGO** -30.18% - severe drop following disappointing Q4 earnings and revenue miss **$ACVA** -10.12% - earnings miss and profitability concerns weighed on shares ## WHAT WORKED Patterns or setups that worked today: - **Earnings-driven momentum plays**: Stocks like **$MYGN**, **$TARS**, and **$SIBN** surged on strong earnings beats and positive forward outlooks, highlighting the power of fundamental catalysts in a volatile market. - **Gold and defensive sectors**: Gold ETF **$GLD** gained 2.7%, and healthcare ETFs like **$XLV** rose 1.1%, reflecting safe-haven buying amid tariff uncertainty and market jitters. ## WHAT FAILED Setups that didn't work: - **Tech rebound attempts**: Despite early optimism, tech names broadly sold off, with **$IBM** and **$CRWD** plunging double digits due to AI disruption fears and weak sentiment. - **Financials and credit-sensitive stocks**: Financial ETFs like **$XLF** dropped 3.35%, with banks such as **$JPM** (-4.15%) and **$BAC** (-3.64%) hit by growing credit concerns and private credit market anxiety. - **Momentum fade in software and fintech**: Stocks like **$ADBE** (-4.59%) and **$PYPL** (+6.12% but volatile) showed mixed reactions, with some setups failing to sustain gains amid AI-related uncertainty. ## AFTER-HOURS WATCH Earnings or news to monitor tonight: - **$ALSN** - Q4 earnings assessment and FY2026 guidance update following mixed results and sales beat. - **$FWRD** - Q4 earnings miss on EPS but sales beat, watch for management commentary on freight recession trends. - **$IBM** - continued focus on AI disruption impact and Anthropic-related developments. - **$JPM** - updates on net interest income outlook and credit pipeline strength. ## TOMORROW PREVIEW **Early Watch:** **$DPZ**, **$LINC**, **$TDW** showing strong earnings momentum; **$META** and **$MSFT** for tech sector reaction. **Catalyst:** Ongoing tariff uncertainty, AI sector earnings, and credit market developments will drive volatility. Watch for updates on private credit and financial sector health. **Bias:** Bearish to neutral, with risk-off sentiment prevailing but selective opportunities in defensives and earnings standouts.