Wall Street ended higher on Wednesday, extending its tech-led rally and touching two-week highs as worries over artificial intelligence disruption and costs took a back seat to renewed optimism over the nascent technology’s potential benefits.

All three major U.S. stock indexes advanced, with the Nasdaq, powered by chips, enjoying the largest ‌percentage gain as markets ⁠near the ⁠end of a tumultuous month that was marked by concerns over massive investment in AI infrastructure and the extent to which it could disrupt myriad industries.

Nvidia, at the forefront of the AI revolution, reported fourth-quarter revenue of $68.13 billion, beating analyst estimates. Its shares were up about 3% in extended trading.

The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index gained 1.6% ahead of Nvidia’s earnings.

The S&P Software & Services index, bouncing back from its 23% year-to-date slump, was a clear outperformer, jumping 2.9%.

“We’re in the middle of a push-pull here between some negative sentiment and some extreme price action in parts of the market,” said Zach Hill, head of portfolio management at Horizon Investments in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I think the (AI) ⁠disruption concerns ‌are more acute right now than worries over return on investment,” Hill added. “Investors are trying to grapple with what could potentially be existential risk, and that’s a bigger deal than not receiving as much payout as you would like.” Richmond ⁠Fed President Tom Barkin chimed in on the issue, saying it is not clear that the AI rollout will displace workers, adding the technology could enable workers and help the job market become more efficient.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 307.65 points, or 0.63%, to 49,482.15, the S&P 500 gained 56.06 points, or 0.81%, to 6,946.13 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 288.40 points, or 1.26%, to 23,152.08.

Among the 11 major sectors in the S&P 500, tech stocks led the percentage gainers, while industrials suffered the steepest loss. Axon Enterprise jumped 17.6% after the Taser-maker beat fourth-quarter profit estimates. Both First Solar and Lowe’s Companies provided weaker-than-expected annual sales guidance, sending their shares down 13.6% and 5.6%, respectively.

After Lowe’s disappointing report, housing and homebuilders were ‌clear underperformers, down 3% and 3.7% respectively, despite the 30-year fixed mortgage contract rate dipping to a 3-1/2-year low last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. On the staples side, alcohol producers with Brown-Forman off 7.6% and Molson Coors down 4.8%, after London-listed Johnnie Walker and Guinness maker ⁠Diageo projected a 2% to 3% organic sales decline in 2026 and cut its interim dividend in half. GoDaddy tumbled 14.3% after the internet services provider forecast annual revenue below Wall Street expectations.

Considering recent volatility in software stocks, results from Salesforce, Intuit and Snowflake will likely be subject to added scrutiny.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.78-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 635 new highs and 98 new lows on the NYSE.

On the Nasdaq, 3,148 stocks rose and 1,557 fell as advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 2.02-to-1 ratio.

The S&P 500 posted 50 new 52-week highs and nine new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 127 new highs and 94 new lows.

Volume on U.S. exchanges was 17.50 billion shares, compared with the 20.27 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.

“And as time goes by, I believe the tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love,” the US president said during his annual address to Congress on Tuesday.

Federal regulators have announced a recall of 55,000 pounds of frozen blueberries over potential Listeria contamination that could pose a life-threatening risk.

Oregon Potato Company — a family-owned business in Salem specializing in frozen and dehydrated potatoes, vegetables, and fruits — has flagged 55,689 pounds of individually quick-frozen blueberries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

While the notice was made on Feb. 12, regulators on Tuesday upgraded it to a Class 1 recall, with officials warning that exposure to the potential Listeria monocytogenes “could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”

The product was distributed across several U.S. states, including Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as throughout Canada. 

MORE THAN 191,000 AROEVE AIR PURIFIERS RECALLED OVER OVERHEATING, FIRE RISK

The product was not sold directly to consumers in retail stores but instead moved between businesses within the supply chain, the FDA said.  

The recall, which was initiated via email, remains ongoing.

The affected items include 30-pound cases with expiration dates from July 23, 2027, to July 24, 2027, bearing lot codes 2055 B2, 2065 B1, and 2065 B3. They are packaged in polyethylene bags within corrugated cases, a specialized dual-layered design.  

Regulators stated that 1,400-pound totes were also affected, with lot codes 3305 A1 and 3305 B1, both expiring on Nov. 25, 2027. The product is packaged in polyethylene liners within Gaylord totes, which are heavy-duty, industrial-grade plastic bags placed in large bulk-shipping containers.

RECALL ISSUED FOR MORE THAN 12K ADULT BED RAILS OVER ENTRAPMENT, ‘RISK OF DEATH’

L. monocytogenes is generally transmitted where food is harvested and processed in manufacturing or production environments.

Listeria monocytogenesis is a disease-causing bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, leading to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

While healthy adults rarely become seriously ill from a Listeria infection, the disease can cause severe—and sometimes fatal—symptoms in unborn babies, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

GameStop Corp.’s stock has stabilized near $24 in late February 2026, closing at $23.92 on February 25 after a modest 0.63% gain, as renewed retail investor enthusiasm and CEO Ryan Cohen’s comments on pursuing transformative acquisitions keep the meme stock in focus despite ongoing challenges in the core retail business.

As of February 25, 2026, GameStop (NYSE: GME) traded in a session range of $23.71 to $24.11 with volume around 800,000 to several million shares across recent days. The shares have risen about 15% year-to-date in 2026, recovering from earlier weakness and trading well above 2025 lows near $20 but far below the all-time highs from the 2021 squeeze. Market capitalization hovers around $10.6 billion to $10.7 billion.

The recent uptick reflects a mix of retail momentum and strategic commentary from Cohen. In January 2026 interviews and filings, Cohen outlined ambitions for a “very big” acquisition of a publicly traded consumer company that could dramatically reshape GameStop’s profile and potentially increase its value significantly. Reports suggested a deal could target a consumer megadeal worth billions, positioning GameStop as a holding company with stronger growth prospects beyond declining physical game sales. A social media post in February declaring “We’ll take a million” further sparked speculation among retail traders about bold moves or share repurchases.

GameStop’s cash position—bolstered by prior equity raises—provides flexibility for such pursuits. The company holds billions in cash equivalents, enabling potential transformative investments while core operations face structural pressures. Revenue continues to trend lower due to digital game distribution shifts, with Q3 2025 (fiscal third quarter ended October 2025) showing $821 million, down 4.57% year-over-year. Profitability has improved through aggressive cost controls, including store closures—GameStop is expected to shutter around 470 locations by early 2026—and a focus on higher-margin segments like collectibles and partnerships.

Recent developments include insider activity supporting confidence. CEO Ryan Cohen purchased 1 million shares in prior periods for over $21 million, with additional buys from executives and directors in January and February 2026. Institutional moves show mixed signals, with some additions and reductions, but retail forums and options activity remain elevated. A February social media post hinting at ambitious targets ignited discussions about potential mergers or buybacks.

Analysts debate valuation amid the narrative shift from meme volatility to capital allocation play. Consensus leans cautious, with average 12-month price targets around $13.50 to $15, implying downside from current levels and reflecting skepticism about sustainable profitability. Some models suggest intrinsic value as low as $11.91, while optimistic retail-driven estimates reach $220, highlighting the wide gap between fundamental views and speculative enthusiasm. P/E ratios sit elevated at around 25-28x recent earnings, with forward guidance tied to cost discipline and any acquisition success.

GameStop’s next earnings report, for fiscal Q4 2025 (ended January 2026), is expected March 24, 2026, before market open, with a conference call the following day. Traders anticipate updates on holiday sales, store optimization, cash deployment, and progress toward Cohen’s strategic goals. Positive surprises on margins or deal announcements could extend gains; continued revenue softness might pressure shares.

The company has explored partnerships, including with Cineverse for film promotions and PSA for collectibles grading, diversifying beyond traditional gaming retail. However, core challenges persist: declining foot traffic in brick-and-mortar stores, competition from digital platforms, and a shrinking physical game market. Analysts note GameStop’s evolution into a cash-rich entity with acquisition potential, but execution risks remain high in a competitive consumer landscape.

Retail sentiment on platforms like Reddit and X continues to drive volatility, with “diamond hands” holders emphasizing long-term bets on Cohen’s vision. Institutional coverage remains limited, with some firms maintaining Sell or Reduce ratings due to structural headwinds in retail gaming.

GameStop’s trajectory in 2026 hinges on balancing legacy operations with bold strategic moves. Cohen’s acquisition focus and the company’s cash hoard offer upside potential if a transformative deal materializes, while retail enthusiasm could sustain momentum. As earnings approach, investors watch for signs of progress beyond meme status toward a redefined business model.

MTU Aero Engines MTX 1.10%increase; green up pointing triangle shares fell after the German aircraft-engine manufacturer gave cash-flow and earnings guidance for 2026 that, at the midpoint of its ranges, came in slightly below consensus expectations.

Shares in MTU were down 7.7% in European afternoon trading, reducing the stock’s year-to-date gain to 3.3%.

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8