Tag: stock movers

Global equity markets are under pressure after a sharp selloff in U.S. stocks Thursday, February 12, 2026, as inflation risks, Federal Reserve policy uncertainty, and the escalating cost of artificial intelligence initiatives weighed on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) suffered its largest single-day drop since early 2026, with technology and cyclical stocks leading declines. As the market braces for critical U.S. inflation data, sector rotation and defensive positioning are dominating flows, while global markets and commodities respond in tandem.

Key Takeaways:

• The Dow Jones fell nearly 700 points on Thursday, marking its steepest decline in weeks, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped 1.5% and 1.9%, respectively.
• Technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services sectors led the pullback, with defensive names outperforming.
• Investors are positioning ahead of the U.S. CPI release, which is expected to influence Fed rate expectations and market direction.
• Global equity indices in Asia and Europe mirrored Wall Street’s weakness; Singapore’s STI fell below 5,000, and India’s Sensex and Nifty 50 dropped over 1%.
• Commodity and currency markets remain volatile as traders digest inflation data, central bank commentary, and macroeconomic trends.

Market Overview

Thursday’s U.S. equity session was dominated by a risk-off tone, with all three major indices extending losses from earlier in the week. This volatility follows last week’s historic rally, covered in our previous market recap. The broader market selloff was triggered by renewed inflation concerns, the uncertain trajectory for Federal Reserve policy, and worries about rising capital expenditure in AI by technology leaders.

These declines represent the worst daily performance for the U.S. indices since at least early January, with over 80% of S&P 500 components closing lower (AP News).

Trading volumes surged, reflecting institutional and retail de-risking. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” spiked as investors sought downside protection. This selloff marked a sharp reversal from last week’s highs, when the Dow (DJI) touched a record close above 49,800, as noted in our Daily Financial Markets Recap.

International sentiment followed suit: Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) fell below 5,000, and India’s Sensex dropped 844.58 points (1.01%) to 82,830.34, while the Nifty 50 lost 260.80 points (1.01%) to 25,546.40, with all sectors trading in red (ET Now). European markets also closed lower on Thursday, reflecting global risk aversion.

Investors are now laser-focused on the upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which is expected to be a key catalyst for market direction and Federal Reserve rate expectations.

Top Movers

Heightened volatility has led to wide price swings among both U.S. and international equities. Technology and cyclical stocks were among the hardest hit, while select financials and defensives outperformed. The table below summarizes notable movers across key sectors and geographies, based on premarket and intraday data (StockMarketWatch, Yahoo Finance):

Notably, Bajaj Finance Ltd (BAJAJFINSV.NS) bucked the downtrend in Indian markets with a 1.16% gain to 1010.7, driven by strong financial results. In contrast, U.S. technology giants like Nvidia (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), and Apple (AAPL) extended recent declines, reflecting both sector-specific headwinds and broader macro uncertainty (Swikblog).

Cisco (CSCO) shares declined after disappointing quarterly earnings, while Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Amazon (AMZN) faced selling on semiconductor and retail sector worries, respectively.

For up-to-date gainer and loser lists, see Yahoo Finance.

Sector Performance

Sector rotation is driving much of the current market action. Technology, consumer discretionary, and communications services led the declines, extending a trend observed in our earlier coverage. The rationale is twofold: investors are unwinding risk after high-flying tech stocks surged to record valuations in January, and concerns around AI-related capital spending are squeezing margins.

• Technology (XLK): The sector posted the largest losses, with leadership names like Nvidia (NVDA) and Microsoft (MSFT) under heavy pressure. Increased AI infrastructure spending is raising questions about profitability and future growth rates across the space.
• Consumer Discretionary (XLY): Major names such as Amazon (AMZN) and Tesla (TSLA) fell as demand concerns and rising input costs weighed on sentiment.
• Communication Services (XLC): Alphabet (GOOGL) led sector declines on profit-taking and valuation worries.
• Defensive Sectors (XLP, XLU): Utilities and consumer staples attracted inflows, with investors seeking relative safety. These sectors outperformed as the market rotated away from risk, a development also highlighted in our afternoon wrap.
• Financials (XLF): Performance was mixed. While U.S. banks trended lower with the broader market, Indian financial giant Bajaj Finance Ltd (BAJAJFINSV.NS) outperformed on the back of robust quarterly results.

Flows into sector ETFs indicate continued caution around growth names, with increased allocations to defensives and short-term fixed income.

Macroeconomic Developments

The macro environment remains highly dynamic, with inflation, Fed policy, and global growth outlooks all in flux. Investors are particularly focused on the January U.S. CPI release, which is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the near-term path for interest rates and risk assets (Swikblog).

• Inflation: Persistent price pressures have kept the Fed on alert, and the January CPI print is seen as a crucial test for the “soft landing” narrative.
• Federal Reserve Policy: Markets are pricing in the possibility of further rate hikes or a prolonged high-rate regime if inflation remains above target. Recent Fed commentary has emphasized data dependence, leaving room for market-driven volatility.
• Treasury Yields: Yields on U.S. 2-year and 10-year Treasuries climbed as investors sought safety. The yield curve remains inverted, reflecting recession worries and uncertainty about policy timing (WSJ Market Data).
• Global Macro: India’s Sensex and Nifty 50, along with Singapore’s STI, posted sizable declines, reflecting broad-based risk-off sentiment. All Indian sectors traded lower, with technology and banks leading the losses.

Market participants are also monitoring labor market data, GDP growth figures, and global PMI releases for signs of economic momentum or slowdown. The next batch of macro data will be critical in shaping expectations for the rest of Q1 2026.

Commodities and Global Markets

Commodities, currencies, and global indices are moving in lockstep with risk sentiment and inflation expectations.

• Oil: WTI and Brent crude prices fluctuated as traders weighed U.S. inventory data, OPEC production signals, and the broader demand outlook. Volatility has increased with each major macro data release (CNBC).
• Gold: Remained firm, benefiting from safe-haven flows as equity volatility spiked and real yields remained volatile.
• Bitcoin: The cryptocurrency market echoed global risk aversion. Bitcoin’s price tracked major equity indices, highlighting its evolving correlation with traditional risk assets.
• Global Equities: Major European bourses closed lower, following Wall Street’s lead. In Asia, Singapore’s STI and India’s benchmarks posted outsized declines, marking a broad-based retreat from risk assets.
• Currency Markets: The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened as global investors sought safety and yield in dollar-denominated assets.

For ongoing global market impact analysis and closing data, consult sources like CNBC and WSJ Market Data.

Outlook and Key Events Ahead

Looking forward, several key events will shape market sentiment and positioning in the coming days:

• U.S. CPI Release: January’s inflation data will be a central focus, with potential to trigger renewed volatility and shift Fed policy expectations.
• FOMC Commentary: Statements from Federal Reserve officials will be closely parsed for any hints about future rate actions or balance sheet adjustments.
• Corporate Earnings: Tech and cyclical companies are set to report quarterly results, with a particular focus on forward guidance amid rising AI investment and margin pressures.
• International Data: Economic releases from Europe and Asia—including GDP, CPI, and PMI figures—will offer additional clues on global growth prospects and investor risk appetite.

As highlighted in our last session wrap, investors should continue to monitor sector rotation, index breadth, and volatility for opportunities and risks. Updated strategies may include increased allocations to defensives, tighter risk controls, and close attention to macroeconomic calendars.

Actionable Next Steps

• Watch for the U.S. CPI print and any subsequent Fed commentary; be ready to adjust portfolio risk exposures accordingly.
• Monitor sector flows for signs of persistent rotation or a reversal back into growth assets if inflation surprises to the downside.
• Review risk management approaches, especially for portfolios heavy in technology and cyclical names.
• Keep abreast of international market developments, as global volatility can quickly spill over into U.S. and European equity sessions.

Continue following our coverage for real-time updates and deeper insights as these macro and market stories evolve. For further reading on recent market dynamics, see our Daily Financial Markets Recap and Markets Today: Stock Market Recap and Economic Data Update.