Market Podcast for 2026-02-19 (CST)
February 19, 2026 at 02:00 PM CSTMark
Welcome to today's market update, folks! We're diving into the numbers based on the latest available data from February 18, 2026. Susan, it looks like we had a pretty positive day in the markets, didn't we?
Susan
That's right, Mark! The major indices all closed higher. The S&P 500 gained 38.09 points to close at 6,881.31. It's always nice to see the broad market index moving upwards.
Mark
Absolutely, and the Dow Jones wasn't left behind either. It climbed 129.47 points, closing at 49,662.66. It's been quite a run for the Dow, wouldn't you agree?
Susan
Definitely, Mark. And let's not forget the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which added 175.25 points, closing at 22,753.63. Tech stocks seem to be driving a lot of the momentum lately.
Mark
Speaking of tech stocks, let's take a look at how some of the individual companies performed. Tesla, for example, saw a modest gain. It opened at $411.11 and closed at $411.32, up by $0.21. Not huge, but every little bit counts!
Susan
True, Mark. And Amazon had a nice day as well, gaining $2.72 to close at $204.79. It's always interesting to see how these giants perform on a daily basis.
Mark
Now, let's focus on one specific stock today—Meta Platforms, Inc., or META. It opened at $633.80 and closed at $643.22, gaining $9.42. That's quite a significant jump.
Susan
Indeed, Mark. Meta's performance is impressive, especially in the context of the broader tech sector gains. It seems investors are optimistic about its future, possibly due to ongoing developments in virtual reality and the metaverse.
Mark
That's a great point, Susan. With Meta's continued investment in these cutting-edge technologies, it could very well carve a substantial niche in the digital world. It's definitely a stock to watch.
Susan
And with the positive performance across the board yesterday, it seems like investor sentiment is quite bullish right now. Let's hope this momentum continues.
Mark
Before we wrap up, Susan, how about we end with a light-hearted market anecdote?
Susan
Sure, Mark! Did you know that the first stock ever traded was the Dutch East India Company back in 1602? Investors would literally meet on a bridge in Amsterdam to exchange shares. Talk about a bridge to prosperity!
Mark
That's a good one, Susan! It's fascinating to see how the financial markets have evolved over the centuries. Well, that's all we have for today's market update. Thanks for tuning in, everyone!
Susan
Stay informed and happy investing, everyone!