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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
U.S. stock futures are climbing in pre-market trading on February 12, 2026, buoyed by stronger-than-expected January jobs data that added 130,000 positions and lowered unemployment to 4.3%. 📈🔥 This has eased recession fears, prompting a reassessment of Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, with Dow futures up 0.4%, S&P 500 futures up 0.3-0.6%, and Nasdaq futures up 0.3-0.8%.
Major Indices Performance 📊
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose about 0.4%, building on recent record closes.
S&P 500 futures gained 0.3-0.6%, with the index showing resilience amid low volatility.
Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.3-0.8%, supported by tech sector momentum despite AI concerns.
Market Movers 🚀
Gainers in pre-market include Zoetis (ZTS) +6.14%, HubSpot (HUBS) +5.10%, and Western Digital (WDC) +3.02%.
Notable recent movers: SUNation Energy (SUNE) +41.61%, HomesToLife (HTLM) +38.2%, SIFCO Industries (SIF) +37.42%.
Losers: Cisco (CSCO) down 6.83-8% after missing gross margin estimates; Inspire Medical (INSP) -14.97%, Tyler Technologies (TYL) -7.29%.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
January jobs report beat expectations, reducing odds of aggressive Fed rate cuts (now 47.2% by June).
Heavy earnings slate today: Lincoln Electric (LECO), Hyatt Hotels (H), Crocs (CROX), Howmet Aerospace (HWM), Vale (VALE), and others.
Investors eye upcoming inflation data, Treasury yields (lower today), and Fed speeches amid AI disruption fears in tech and finance.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Traders exhibit optimism from robust labor data and earnings potential, tempered by AI risks and policy uncertainty under President Trump. Volume remains moderate as markets balance growth signals with inflation watch. 🐂📈
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TRADE OF THE DAY:
MA
Name: Mastercard Incorporated
Symbol: MA
Current Price: Approximately $535.10
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 MA Feb 27, 2026 562.5/567.5 Call Vertical
Total Credit Received: $88.00
Credit per Contract: $88.00 (for one contract covering 100 shares)
Direction: Bearish (expects MA to stay below the short strike)
Probability of Profit (PoP): 85.31%
Potential ROI:
Max Risk (Loss): $412.00
ROI: ($88.00 ÷ $412.00) × 100 ≈ 21.4%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You’re selling a bearish call credit spread by selling the 562.5 strike call and buying the 567.5 strike call, both expiring February 27, 2026. You collect $88.00 upfront. For the trade to profit, MA needs to stay below approximately $563.38 by expiration. If MA rises above $567.50, your maximum loss is capped at $412.00, giving limited risk and limited reward.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
AppLovin CEO downplays AI risks as the company reported strong Q4 earnings, beating revenue estimates with $1.66 billion in sales driven by gaming ads and e-commerce growth. Read more.
Clear Street cuts US IPO valuation target to $7.2 billion, reflecting cautious Wall Street sentiment amid evolving market conditions for new listings. Read more.
Wall Street analysts boost McDonald's outlook following its Q4 earnings beat, with firms seeing further upside potential in the fast-food giant's recovery strategies. Read more.
WeRide CEO Tony Han featured in WSJ coverage amid ongoing developments in autonomous driving technology and corporate leadership shifts. Read more.
IBM faces Dow pressure from integrated solutions challenges, as highlighted in today's stock watchlists and analyst commentary on tech sector dynamics. 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.
