Day Trade Cheat Sheet - February 26, 2026 (Morning)

 ## MARKET MOOD: RISK-ON U.S. markets showed strong overnight gains led by tech and financials, driven by Nvidia’s robust earnings and upbeat guidance. Optimism around AI growth and easing geopolitical tensions supported the risk-on sentiment despite some mixed earnings and oil weakness. ## TOP 5 HEADLINES 1. Nvidia’s AI-Powered Earnings Beat and Revenue Guidance Crushed Wall Street's Estimates → Impact: Nvidia shares gained, lifting tech sector and Nasdaq futures. 2. Warner Bros. Discovery Q4 2025 sees mixed results with streaming subs topping 131 million → Impact: Streaming competition remains intense; WBD shares slightly pressured. 3. HSBC cuts U.S. exposure, boosts EM equities → Impact: Rotation into emerging markets could shift sector and regional flows. 4. Tesla down 2.93% despite broader market rally → Impact: Profit-taking or company-specific concerns weigh on Tesla. 5. Oil drops more than 2.85% on US stockpiles and US-Iran talks → Impact: Energy sector under pressure; XLE down 1.25%. ## PRE-MARKET MOVERS ### Longs (Bullish Catalysts) **$NVDA** - Strong Q4 earnings beat and raised guidance on AI demand **$ANET** - Shares up 3.09% on solid earnings and data center exposure **$APO** - Gains 3.17% on positive earnings and asset management outlook **$C** - Up 4.57% after strong earnings beat and optimistic commentary **$UNH** - +4.22% on better-than-expected Q4 results and guidance **$SNOW** - +8.28% following earnings beat and AI product push ### Shorts (Bearish Catalysts) **$AI** - Plunged 22.56% after disappointing earnings and guidance **$ARRY** - Fell 23.11% on weak earnings and outlook **$TTD** - Down 13.63% amid growth concerns and analyst downgrades **$ZM** - Dropped 8.01% after earnings miss and cautious outlook **$ZIP** - Down 12.75% on weak earnings and guidance **$RVMD** - Fell 5.98% on earnings miss and valuation concerns ## INDEX BIAS **SPY:** BULLISH - Broad market rally led by tech and financials with strong earnings momentum. **QQQ:** BULLISH - Nasdaq 100 up 1.48% driven by Nvidia and other AI-related tech stocks. **IWM:** NEUTRAL - Small caps up 0.74% but less conviction amid mixed earnings and sector rotation. ## SECTORS **Favor:** Technology - Led by Nvidia’s strong results and AI optimism; XLK up 2.12%. **Avoid:** Energy - Oil prices dropped sharply on inventory build and geopolitical talks; XLE down 1.25%. ## CATALYST WATCH Events today that could move markets: - 08:30 AM ET: U.S. Weekly Jobless Claims - market watching for labor market stability signals - 10:00 AM ET: U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Update - potential impact on oil and geopolitical risk ## BOTTOM LINE **Today's Play:** Selective The dominant theme is AI-driven tech strength led by Nvidia and peers, fueling a risk-on environment. Financials also show strength on solid earnings. Energy remains a drag amid falling oil prices and geopolitical developments. Watch for labor data and Iran talks for fresh market direction. Best opportunities lie in AI-related tech and high-quality financials, while caution is warranted in energy and beaten-down software names with weak outlooks.