Daily Market Report – February 18, 2026
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, US stock markets continued their recovery. The main drivers were new economic data signaling robust growth alongside easing inflation pressures.
Several companies stood out among individual stocks. Micron Technology NASDAQ:MU gained significantly, buoyed by positive demand forecasts for data centers. Shopify NASDAQ:SHOP rose by nearly 10%. AppLovin NASDAQ:APP also increased by about 8%. Both stocks had fallen sharply recently. In Europe, BAE Systems (LSE:BA.) rose after a strong outlook for defense contracts, while Glencore LSE:GLEN benefited from good business figures. Carrefour EPA:CARR fell by almost 5% after disappointing earnings, while Bayer XETR:BAYN declined amid renewed uncertainties in the glyphosate litigation in the USA.
Investors are shifting funds from safe havens into stocks as recession and inflation concerns ease in the short term. Market participants are now awaiting the Fed minutes, which will be released later today.