Daily Brief - February 25, 2026 (EOD)

 ## Market Recap The major U.S. indices closed higher on a broadly positive day for equities, led by the Nasdaq 100 which gained 1.15% to close at $614.84. The S&P 500 followed with a 0.68% advance to $692.00, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.41% to finish at $493.81. The Russell 2000 small-cap index was the laggard among the major benchmarks but still managed a modest 0.29% gain, closing at $264.10. The market exhibited a constructive tone, driven by strong technology and financial sector performance, as investors digested a mix of earnings reports and macroeconomic developments. Trading was characterized by solid buying interest in growth-oriented names, particularly in the tech space, which helped lift the Nasdaq and S&P 500 above key technical levels. Volume was moderate across the board, with the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) trading 56.4 million shares and the Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) seeing 56.3 million shares change hands. Breadth favored advancers, supported by upbeat earnings and renewed optimism around AI-related growth opportunities. Defensive sectors such as consumer staples and energy lagged, reflecting a risk-on sentiment. ## Top Stories That Moved Markets - **Nvidia (NVDA)** delivered a blockbuster Q4 report with record $68 billion revenue fueled by strong demand for its AI chips. CEO Jensen Huang dismissed concerns about AI threatening software companies, reinforcing Nvidia’s leadership in the AI boom. The stock rose 1.63% during the session and surged further in after-hours trading. - **Snowflake (SNOW)** reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $0.34, beating estimates, and revenue of $1.284 billion, also above expectations. However, the company gave a mixed outlook that weighed on sentiment, causing the stock to dip slightly despite the beat. - **Circle Internet Group (CRCL)** posted strong Q4 revenue and profit beats, driven by accelerating stablecoin circulation. Shares jumped 32.43%, reflecting growing investor enthusiasm for crypto-related fintech. - **Cava Group (CAVA)** surged 26.36% after reporting double-digit revenue growth in Q4 FY25 and crossing the $1 billion revenue milestone for the first time, signaling strong momentum in the fast-casual restaurant segment. - **The Trade Desk (TTD)** reported a 73% EPS beat but the stock plunged 15.20% amid concerns about slowing growth and margin pressures, illustrating the market’s sensitivity to forward guidance despite strong current results. ## Biggest Winners - **$ACHC** +21.54%: Acadia Healthcare rallied sharply on strong Q4 earnings and optimistic revenue growth outlook despite some margin pressure. - **$AXON** +17.56%: Axon Enterprise soared on robust bookings growth and AI-driven demand for its software tools. - **$JAZZ** +12.18%: Jazz Pharmaceuticals hit a 52-week high after beating Q4 earnings estimates and raising guidance. - **$COIN** +11.99%: Coinbase shares jumped on strong Q4 revenue and profit beats amid a crypto market rebound. - **$AII** +10.34%: American Integrity Insurance saw a significant gain on solid Q4 results and improving profitability. - **$BMNR** +9.26%: Bitmine Immersion surged following a positive earnings report and revised price target. - **$FMC** +7.85%: FMC Corporation rallied on strong earnings and upbeat outlook from the agriculture chemicals sector. - **$SLDE** +9.11%: Slade Technologies gained on better-than-expected Q4 results and margin improvement. ## Biggest Losers - **$ALLT** -29.56%: Allot Communications plunged after reporting earnings that matched estimates but revenue topped, with cautious guidance weighing on the stock. - **$ASPN** -27.81%: Aspen Aerogels tumbled on a Q4 earnings miss and revenue shortfall. - **$MGPI** -20.50%: MGP Ingredients dropped sharply despite beating earnings, as the company guided below expectations. - **$IBRX** -17.08%: ImmunityBio shares fell on a mixed Q4 report despite strong revenue growth. - **$CWH** -16.50%: Camping World Holdings declined on weak earnings and margin concerns. - **$TALO** -13.71%: Talos Energy sold off after a Q4 earnings miss and cautious outlook. - **$DEO** -15.65%: Diageo shares fell sharply following an unconvincing half-year report and dividend cut. - **$VRRM** -15.66%: Verra Mobility dropped on disappointing Q4 results and guidance. ## Sector Scorecard - **Leaders:** Technology (+1.28%) and Financials (+1.53%) led the market higher, buoyed by strong earnings and optimism around AI and fintech growth. Tech stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft, and CrowdStrike outperformed, while banks such as JPMorgan and Bank of America gained on solid results and positive outlooks. - **Laggards:** Consumer Staples (-0.82%) and Energy (-0.40%) lagged as investors favored growth over defensives. Energy stocks were pressured by a 1.03% decline in oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and cautious demand outlooks. Consumer staples faced profit-taking after recent strength. ## After-Hours Movers - **$NVDA**: Nvidia shares jumped further in after-hours trading following its strong Q4 earnings report and bullish commentary on AI chip demand. - **$SNOW**: Snowflake dipped slightly in after-hours despite beating Q4 estimates, weighed by cautious guidance. - **$CRCL**: Circle Internet Group surged in after-hours trading on strong earnings and accelerating stablecoin growth. ## Crypto & Commodities - Bitcoin rebounded strongly, climbing 5.67% to $67,696.20, supported by renewed investor appetite for crypto assets amid easing AI-related market jitters. - Ethereum surged 10.05% to $2,038.09, reflecting broad-based strength in the crypto sector. - Gold edged down 0.11% to $474.11 per ounce, as risk appetite improved. - Oil prices declined 1.03% to $79.93 per barrel, pressured by geopolitical concerns and supply considerations ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks. ## Tomorrow Setup Market participants will closely watch several key events and earnings releases that could influence sentiment: - Earnings from major tech and industrial companies will be in focus, with investors parsing guidance for signs of sustained AI-driven growth or margin pressures. - Watch for updates on geopolitical developments, particularly US-Iran nuclear negotiations, which could impact energy prices and risk sentiment. - Momentum names to monitor include **$NVDA**, **$SNOW**, **$CRCL**, and **$AXON**, which have shown strong earnings-driven moves. - Risk factors include potential profit-taking in high-flying AI-related stocks, softer guidance from cyclical sectors, and any escalation in geopolitical tensions that could weigh on oil and broader markets. Investors should remain attentive to macroeconomic data releases and Fed commentary that could influence interest rate expectations and market volatility going forward.