Market Podcast for 2026-02-20 (CST)
February 20, 2026 at 02:00 PM CSTMark
Good day, everyone! Welcome to today's market update based on the latest available data from February 19, 2026. I'm Mark, and joining me is Susan.
Susan
Hi, Mark! Let's dive into the numbers. The major indices had a mixed performance yesterday. The S&P 500 closed at 6,861.89, declining by 19.42 points. The Dow Jones also took a hit, closing at 49,395.16, which is down by 267.50 points.
Mark
That's right, Susan. The Nasdaq didn't fare much better, closing at 22,682.73, down by 70.90 points. It seems like the market had a bit of a rough day across the board.
Susan
Indeed, Mark. However, there were some bright spots among individual stocks. Let's talk about NVIDIA. It opened at $187.06 and closed at $187.90, gaining $0.84 by the end of the trading session.
Mark
NVIDIA's slight gain is interesting, especially in a generally down market. It suggests that investors might still have confidence in its long-term growth potential, possibly driven by its strong position in the AI and gaming sectors.
Susan
Absolutely, Mark. Despite the broader market's decline, NVIDIA's performance shows resilience. Now, looking at other notable movers, Tesla gained $4.46 to close at $411.71, while Amazon added $1.06, closing at $204.86.
Mark
On the other hand, Microsoft saw a decline of $2.23, closing at $398.46. Netflix also dipped slightly, ending the day at $77.00, down $0.75.
Susan
And Google had a modest gain of $1.04, closing at $303.56. Meta was one of the standout performers, gaining $6.21 to close at $644.78.
Mark
Quite a mixed bag, Susan. It seems like investors are still trying to navigate through economic uncertainties and sector-specific challenges, which is impacting the indices and individual stock performances differently.
Susan
Definitely, Mark. Before we wrap up, here's a light-hearted market anecdote: Did you know that the first stock ticker was invented in 1867 and transmitted stock prices over telegraph lines? Imagine waiting for your investment updates like that today!
Mark
That's a fun fact, Susan! We've come a long way since then, but the excitement of the market remains the same. Thanks for joining us, everyone. Until next time, keep an eye on those market trends!
Susan
Thanks, Mark! And thanks to our listeners. Stay informed and invest wisely!