What Moved Markets This Week
Seeking Alpha
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
U.S. financial markets ended the trading week on a weaker note, with major indices experiencing slight declines as investors processed a mix of economic data and corporate earnings reports. The S&P 500 dropped 1.4%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 2.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.2%. Despite these losses, market participants noted strong employment figures and moderate inflation readings, which initially suggested a cautiously optimistic economic outlook.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2% in January, slightly below the expected 0.3% increase, signaling a potential slowdown in inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, nonfarm payrolls reported a stronger-than-expected gain of 130,000 jobs, far exceeding the consensus forecast of 70,000 and reversing December’s revised figure of 48,000. These data points highlighted a mixed economic landscape, with inflation cooling but labor market strength remaining robust.
Corporate earnings also played a significant role in driving stock-specific movements during the week. Companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and T-Mobile US reported their latest quarterly results, leading to sharp price fluctuations for individual stocks. This volatility underscored the importance of earnings season in shaping near-term market dynamics.
The broader market’s sector performance reflected these trends. Consumer Staples and Utilities sectors saw gains, with.Utilities jumping 7.1%, while Financials and Telecom experienced declines. Notably, Energy and Materials sectors showed resilience, each rising over 1%. However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq’s 2.1% decline weighed heavily on overall market sentiment.
Looking ahead, investors will closely monitor next week’s economic calendar, including Federal Reserve policy updates and additional earnings reports. The interplay between strong
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Originally published on Seeking Alpha on 2/14/2026