Market Summary - February 18, 2026

The US stock market opened positively on February 18, 2026, with the US100 index gaining 1% as Nvidia's shares rose amid significant orders from Meta Platforms. The US index futures indicated a resurgence of buying interest following a recent pullback, supported by a favorable sentiment in equities outside the US. Notably, Nasdaq 100 futures increased by over 1%, with strong performance observed in financials, banks, and the oil market.

Key Market Indicators

• US100 Index: 24844.22, down 0.37%
• Nvidia (NVDA.US): $187.74, up 1.7%
• Amazon (AMZN.US): up 1.6%
• Microsoft (MSFT.US): up 0.5%
• Tesla (TSLA.US): up 0.4%
• Alphabet (GOOGL.US): up 0.3%
• Apple (AAPL.US): up 0.2%
• Meta Platforms (META.US): down 0.5%

Market Analysis

The US100 index has shown resilience, bouncing back from support at the 200-session exponential moving average (EMA200). A move above 25,500 points could signal a more sustained bullish sentiment. Nvidia's rise is particularly noteworthy, driven by reports of Meta's plans to deploy millions of Nvidia processors, underscoring the growing investment in AI technologies.

Top Gainers

• Global-e Online (GLBE.US): +24% - Strong Q4 results and positive guidance.
• Rush Street (RSI.US): +20% - Q4 revenue and adjusted EBITDA exceeded expectations.
• Mister Car Wash (MCW.US): +17% - Acquisition by Leonard Green & Partners at $7 per share.
• Wingstop (WING.US): +13% - Solid results with US same-store sales growth above forecasts.
• BioAge Labs (BIOA.US): +13% - Upgraded to "buy" based on potential of key therapy.

Top Decliners

• Northern Dynasty Minerals (NAK.US): -34% - Negative reaction to DOJ activity regarding the Pebble Project.
• SimilarWeb (SMWB.US): -21% - Q4 results missed expectations.
• Axcelis Technologies (ACLS.US): -13% - Weaker-than-expected Q1 guidance.
• Palo Alto Networks (PANW.US): -7% - Weaker guidance for Q3 and full-year adjusted profit.
• MKS Instruments (MKSI.US): -6.7% - Market reacted negatively to results and outlook.

Palantir Update

Palantir's shares rose by 5% following an upgrade from Mizuho, which raised its rating to Outperform and maintained a $195 price target. The upgrade was based on a more attractive risk/reward profile after a valuation reset. Mizuho noted growing interest in Palantir's AIP platform in the US commercial segment, although risks remain regarding potential slowdowns in commercial wins or government demand.

Conclusion

The market's positive momentum, particularly in tech stocks like Nvidia and Amazon, reflects a broader risk-on sentiment. Investors are closely monitoring whether this trend will continue, especially in light of geopolitical tensions and economic indicators.