Markets Hold Up Amid Heightened Uncertainty

Read this market recap—for free: In a shortened, headline-driven week, markets absorbed mixed GDP and PCE data along with a Supreme Court ruling on tariff authority.

Special Note: We're rolling out a new weekly newsletter, The Ticker by Alpha Picks, and you're among the first to get it. Not something you'd like in your inbox? You can opt out here. Weekly Market Recap—Read for Free This week, markets digested mixed Q4 GDP and slightly hotter PCE inflation, as well as a key Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. The 10-Year Treasury yield edged up to 4.10% but remains well below early-year levels, signaling cautious confidence rather than renewed inflation fears. Technology stocks were resilient after recent weakness, while Energy and Consumer Staples maintained leadership amid geopolitical tensions and defensive positioning. Read the Recap for Free Chart of the Week: Investors Watching Economic Data, Tariffs, Iran, and Nvidia Source: Seeking Alpha, CME Group FedWatch Tool, 02/20/2026 Resilience Defines Shortened Trading Week U.S. markets navigated a shortened four-day trading week as investors observed Presidents' Day on Monday, resulting in lighter volumes and choppy price action. Much of the week felt like a holding pattern ahead of Friday morning's headline-heavy session. Economic data offered a mixed picture: GDP growth came in steady but not spectacular, while PCE inflation data showed lingering price pressures beneath the surface. Meanwhile, the long-anticipated Supreme Court ruling determined that President Trump did not have the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), removing a layer of legal uncertainty around trade policy. Markets digested the news calmly. The S&P 500 Index ticked up 0.6% by midday trading, while the 10-Year Treasury yield edged up to 4.10%, which is slightly higher on the week but still well below where it began the year. Technology stocks led the advance for stocks, climbing nearly 0.9% by midday Friday trading before giving back half of its gains by early afternoon. Alpha Picks leaders in the Tech sector included TTM Technologies (TTMI) and AppLovin Corporation (APP), up approximately 8.0% and 5.0%, respectively. Despite headline risk, equity markets held firm. The S&P 500's weekly gain of approximately 0.6% reflects resilience rather than exuberance. Volatility was contained, and sector performance skewed toward growth. Investors appear increasingly selective, rewarding companies with visible earnings growth and durable margins while showing less enthusiasm for rate-sensitive cyclicals.   There's more to unpack from this week's market activity. You can find the expanded analysis in the full recap. Read the Recap for Free Featured: Alpha Picks performance +300% vs S&P 500's +82%.* Discover how it works » Trending Analysis Top Small-Cap Stocks Leading The Market Rotation Best Dip Buys With 'Year Of The Fire Horse' Potential How To Play The Great Rotation For Yield Over 6%: 2 Top REITs See more trending analysis » We'll continue to track the trends that matter most and bring you clear, informative insights every week. Until then, wishing you a productive and profitable week ahead.   - Steven Cress and the Seeking Alpha Quant Team Scan to download the Seeking Alpha App! Download the Seeking Alpha App! *Performance between July 1, 2022 and February 22, 2026. Alpha Picks adds two stocks per month—on the closest business day to the 1st & 15th. Alpha Picks removes stocks based on rating thresholds (i.e., when a rating changes to a sell). Performance is calculated and reported daily using time-weighted returns. For more details on the performance calculation and methodology of Alpha Picks, click here. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Seeking Alpha does not take account of your objectives or your financial situation and does not offer any personalized investment advice. Any content and tools on the platform are offered for information purposes only. Analysts are third-party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker, U.S. investment adviser, or investment bank. This email was sent to you because you are signed up to receive The Ticker by Alpha Picks. Unsubscribe from this list | Update your email preferences Sent by Seeking Alpha, 244 5th Ave, Suite 2705, New York, NY 10001 https://email-st.seekingalpha.com/oc/629888ce0c4303264f02dffeqcuju.a9e1/4e02da4a