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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
US stock futures are pointing to a mixed open today, with Nasdaq futures up around 0.9% on AI optimism while Dow futures lag nearly flat ahead of the Federal Reserve's rate decision. Markets are buoyed by strong tech sector momentum and recent record highs in the S&P 500, though caution prevails amid big tech earnings and Fed Chair Powell's upcoming comments.
Major Indices Performance 📊
Nasdaq 100 futures have climbed about 0.9%, driven by AI-related enthusiasm from ASML's strong chip equipment orders.
S&P 500 futures are up roughly 0.3-0.5%, positioning the index near the 7,000 mark for a potential first-time open.
Dow Jones futures remain nearly unchanged or slightly lower, weighed by healthcare and tariff concerns.
Market Movers 🚀
ASML shares surged on unexpectedly strong orders for chip manufacturing gear, boosting AI chipmakers like Nvidia and TSMC.
Tech heavyweights including Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, and others are in focus ahead of their earnings releases today.
Yesterday's close saw Nasdaq up 0.9% to 23,817, S&P 500 +0.4% to 6,978, while Dow fell 0.8%.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold rates steady at 3.5%-3.75% today at 2 PM ET, with Powell's 2:30 PM press conference key for rate cut signals later in 2026.
Major tech earnings from Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, IBM, and more are set for release, potentially fueling volatility.
Ongoing tariff talks and President Trump's push for lower rates add political uncertainty, though AI boom provides counterbalance.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Sentiment leans cautiously optimistic, with tech and AI leading gains amid Fed watch, but broader caution from rates and politics tempers enthusiasm. Volume was elevated yesterday at 18 billion shares, signaling active positioning.
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TRADE OF THE DAY:
PPLT
Name: abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF
Symbol: PPLT
Current Price: ~$238.31
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 PPLT Feb 20, 2026 195/190 Put Vertical (Bull Put)
Total Credit Received: $45.00
Credit per Contract: $45.00 (for one contract covering 100 shares)
Direction: Bullish (expects the ETF to stay above break-even)
Probability of Profit (PoP): 85.83%
Potential ROI:
Max Risk (Loss): $455.00
ROI: ($45 ÷ $455) × 100 ≈ 9.9%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You’re entering a bullish put spread on PPLT that expires on February 20, 2026 by selling the 195 strike put and buying the 190 strike put. You receive a $45 credit upfront. The position profits if PPLT stays above about $194.55 by expiration. Your maximum loss is capped at $455 if PPLT falls below $190, and your maximum gain is the $45 credit received.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Seagate Technology surged 11.3% after projecting third-quarter revenue and profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations.
Read more.China approved imports of Nvidia's H200 AI chips for major firms like ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent during CEO Jensen Huang's visit.
Read more.Amazon announced layoffs of 16,000 corporate employees to streamline operations and invest in artificial intelligence despite booming business.
Read more.President Trump filed a $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, accusing the bank and CEO Jamie Dimon of closing his accounts for political reasons.
Read more.SoftBank is reportedly in talks to invest another $30 billion in OpenAI, potentially pushing its valuation toward $830 billion amid an AI funding flood.
Read more.
Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
