Market Podcast for 2026-02-17 (CST)

Transcript

Mark: Hello, everyone! Welcome to today's market update, where we'll dive into the latest financial data from February 13, 2026. I'm Mark, and joining me is Susan. Susan, let's get started with the major indices.

Susan: Absolutely, Mark. Starting with the S&P 500, which closed at 6,836.17, gaining a modest 3.41 points. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones saw a slight increase as well, closing at 49,500.93, up by 48.95 points. However, the Nasdaq didn't fare as well, declining by 50.48 points to close at 22,546.67.

Mark: It's interesting to see the divergence between the indices, Susan. While the S&P 500 and Dow Jones managed to eke out gains, the tech-heavy Nasdaq faced a bit of a setback. This could suggest some sector-specific challenges or profit-taking within tech stocks.

Susan: That's a great point, Mark. Speaking of tech, let's take a look at some individual stocks. NVIDIA, for instance, saw a decline, closing at $182.81, down $4.67 from its opening. Tesla, on the other hand, bucked the trend and closed at $417.44, gaining $3.13.

Mark: Tesla's performance is certainly noteworthy, Susan. It seems investors remain optimistic about its growth prospects. Amazon had a rather flat day, closing slightly down by $0.09 at $198.79. Microsoft also experienced a decline, losing $3.13 to close at $401.32.

Susan: Indeed, Mark. Meanwhile, Netflix managed to gain $0.73, closing at $76.87, which is a positive sign for the streaming giant. Google and Meta weren't as fortunate, with Google declining by $1.96 to $306.02 and Meta dropping $5.33 to close at $639.77.

Mark: With all that movement, let's dive into a deeper analysis on one stock: Microsoft. Yesterday, Microsoft opened at $404.45 and closed at $401.32, down $3.13. This decline could be due to concerns over its recent strategic directions or competitive pressures in the tech sector.

Susan: That's a possibility, Mark. However, Microsoft's strong product portfolio and ongoing innovations suggest that it could bounce back. The market sentiment around tech stocks seems mixed, but long-term investors might see this as an opportunity.

Mark: Right, Susan. It's always important to consider the broader context. Now, before we wrap up, here's a fun market anecdote: Did you know that in the early 1900s, Wall Street traders used to communicate stock prices by hand signals from windows? They were called "crows," and they sure had to be quick to keep up with the market!

Susan: That's fascinating, Mark! It makes you appreciate the technology we have today. Well, that’s all for our market update. Thanks for tuning in, and remember to stay informed and invest wisely!

Mark: Until next time, happy investing!