S&P 500 Sustained Gains Only Possible If "Easy Money" Support From Fed Grows.
The January FOMC minutes (released February 2026) have indeed injected a dose of cold water into the market's "rate cut fever." While the S&P 500 has shown incredible resilience, the shift from a nearly guaranteed June cut to a "divided Fed" suggests a transition from a momentum-driven rally to a data-dependent one. Here is how the S&P 500 is likely to navigate this shift: S&P 500 Reaction: Gains vs. Profit Taking Historically, the S&P 500 can handle a "hawkish pause" as long as economic growth remains solid. However, the minutes revealed that the Fed is now prioritizing stability over speed. The "No Landing" Support: The market is currently buoyed by a "no landing" narrative—where the economy remains strong enough to avoid recession even with higher rates. This has helped
Figma (FIG) Post Earnings Signal core narrative shifts from "AI will replace software" to "AI is supercharging software usage."
$Figma(FIG)$ released its Q4 2025 earnings results on February 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET, and the market’s reaction has been a loud sigh of relief. After a brutal start to the year where the stock dropped roughly 40%, these results have acted as a powerful "de-risking" event for the software sector. The core narrative shifts from "AI will replace software" to "AI is supercharging software usage." Figma (FIG) Q4 2025 Earnings Analysis Figma’s performance silenced skeptics who feared that generative AI would cannibalize the design profession. Instead, the data suggests AI is driving deeper enterprise adoption. Key Highlights: AI Monetization: Figma revealed that 30% of their enterprise customers ($100k+ ARR) are now using "Figma Make" (their AI design
Will Akamai (AKAM) Ride AI Inflection To Push Above 20% YTD Share Price Surge?
$Akamai(AKAM)$ is scheduled to report its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after the market closes. The stock enters this report with significant tailwinds, having surged over 10% last week following a series of analyst upgrades and positive spillover from Cloudflare's (NET) strong results. This sets a high bar for the company to clear. Key Estimates & Expectations Wall Street is looking for steady growth, though estimates vary slightly across platforms: Revenue Consensus: $1.07 billion (approx. 5% YoY growth). Adjusted EPS Consensus: $1.75 (vs. $1.66 in Q4 2024). Full-Year 2025 Guidance: Management previously targeted total revenue of $4.13B – $4.20B and EPS of $6.93 – $7.13. Akamai's Q3 2025 earnings, reported in Novem
Wal-Mart (WMT) Continue With Strong Q4, Short-Term Trajectory Depends On FY 2027 Guidance.
$Wal-Mart(WMT)$ is scheduled to report its fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 earnings on Thursday, February 19, 2026, before the market opens. Coming off a massive rally—up over 20% year-to-date and recently crossing the $1 trillion market cap milestone—the stakes are exceptionally high. The market has priced in near-perfection, leaving little room for error. Q4 2026 Forecast & Estimates Analysts are expecting a strong holiday quarter, driven by e-commerce momentum and market share gains among higher-income households. Walmart (WMT) reported its fiscal Q3 2026 earnings on November 20, 2025, delivering a "beat and raise" quarter that further cemented its lead in the retail sector. Q3 2026 Financial Summary Walmart exceeded expectations across all prima
Can Carvana Co (CVNA) Continue Its Uninterrupted Climb Towards Its 3-Million-Unit Annual Goal?
$Carvana Co.(CVNA)$ is scheduled to report its Q4 2025 and full-year results on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, after the market closes. Following a stellar year where the stock gained over 100%, the market is now approaching this report with a mix of high growth expectations and fresh scrutiny regarding accounting practices. Q4 2025 Expectations & Consensus Analysts are looking for significant year-over-year growth, though the bar has been raised considerably. The Fiscal Q3 2025 report (released October 29, 2025) was a landmark moment for Carvana, marking its transition from a "turnaround story" to a massive "growth and scale" engine. However, it also served as a sobering lesson in the high expectations the market now demands. Q3 2025 Financial
Can Analog Devices (ADI) Continue To Ride AI Infrastructure Optimism?
$Analog Devices(ADI)$ is scheduled to report its fiscal Q1 2026 results on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, before the market opens. Coming off a strong Q4 2025, ADI is currently riding a wave of optimism, with the stock recently hitting new highs. Wall Street expects the company to capitalize on the "analog supercycle," driven by AI infrastructure and a recovery in industrial automation. Key Financial Estimates (Consensus) Analysts have been revising estimates upward leading into the print, signaling high confidence. Analog Devices (ADI) reported its fiscal Q4 2025 results on November 25, 2024, delivering a "beat and raise" quarter that signaled the end of the post-pandemic semiconductor inventory slump. Q4 2025 Financial Summary ADI outperformed con
AI Potential No Longer Rewarded. Its About Efficiency vs Capital Intensity
The market is currently navigating a "SaaS Reckoning" as of February 2026. The 22% YTD drop in the IGV ETF is not just a temporary sell-off; it signals a fundamental shift in how investors value the AI stack. We are moving away from "AI-at-any-price" toward a "Physical Bottleneck" phase. $iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF(IGV)$ Will the rotation toward proven revenue continue? Yes, but with a specific focus on "Tangibles." The rotation isn't just moving to "value" stocks; it’s moving toward companies that control the physical constraints of AI—specifically Power, Compute, and Infrastructure. The Cannibalization Fear: High-valuation software (SaaS) is under pressure because "Agentic AI" (AI that performs tasks autonomously) is starting to ca
Can Palo Alto (PANW) Show Aggressive Forward Guidance To Maintain Its High P/E ratio?
$Palo Alto Networks(PANW)$ is scheduled to report its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after the market closes. Following a strong Q1, the market is looking for evidence that the company’s "platformization" strategy is effectively converting free-trial users into long-term, high-value contracts. Below is an analysis of what to expect and the technical levels to watch. Financial Estimates (Q2 2026) Palo Alto Networks (PANW) reported its fiscal Q1 2026 earnings on November 19, 2025. While the numbers were objectively strong, the market’s reaction—a roughly 3-4% dip in post-market trading—highlighted a shift in how investors are valuing the company. Q1 2026 Financial Summary Palo Alto beat expectations across all major metrics,
Can Medtronic (MDT) Continue The "Underpromise and Overdeliver" Era?
$Medtronic PLC(MDT)$ is scheduled to report its fiscal third-quarter 2026 earnings on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, before the market opens. The company is currently in a "turnaround" phase, shifting from a slow-moving legacy giant to a more innovative, agile competitor. After a strong Q2 beat and raise, the market is looking for evidence that this momentum is sustainable. Earnings Expectations & Key Metrics Analysts expect a slight year-over-year dip in earnings despite a healthy jump in revenue. 1. Cardiovascular Strength (The Growth Engine) This is the most critical segment to watch. In Q2, Cardiac Ablation grew a massive 71%. Look for continued adoption of the Affera Sphere-9 (pulsed field ablation) and the Evolut FX+ TAVR system. If cardiova