Weekly Market Commentary

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WEEK OF FEB. 23 THROUGH FEB. 27, 2026

The S&P 500 edged down 0.4% this week, led by the technology and financial sectors.

The index ended the week at 6,878.88. With Friday representing the last trading day of the month, the market benchmark recorded a 0.9% decline in February. It's still up 0.5% for 2026.

In economic news, the US producer price index rose by 0.5% in January following a 0.4% increase in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was higher than the 0.3% gain expected in a Bloomberg survey.

After excluding the more volatile food and energy prices, core PPI rose by 0.8%, higher than the 0.3% gain anticipated and the previous month's 0.6% jump.

The technology sector had the largest percentage drop of the week, falling 2.2%, followed by a 2% decline in financials and a 0.5% loss in consumer discretionary. Industrials also edged lower.

First Solar (FSLR) was hit hardest in technology, sliding 18% as the company posted Q4 earnings per share below analysts' mean estimate despite higher-than-expected net sales. First Solar also forecast 2026 net sales below the Street view at the time.

International Business Machines (IBM) shares also weighed on the technology sector, falling 6.6%. Morgan Stanley analysts said the company faces "some degree" of artificial intelligence disruption risk due to recent innovations with generative AI.

KKR (KKR) and Apollo Global Management (APO) had the largest percentage drops in the financial sector for the week, falling 13% each.

On the upside, utilities rose 2.9%, followed by a 2.7% increase in consumer staples, a 2.1% gain in health care and a 2% rise in energy. Materials, real estate and communication services also edged higher.

Constellation Energy (CEG) had the largest percentage increase in utilities, climbing 12% as the company reported Q4 adjusted earnings per share and operating revenue above analysts' mean estimates.

In consumer staples, shares of J.M. Smucker (SJM) rose 5.1%. The food producer trimmed the top end of its full-year sales growth outlook due to a recent fire at one of its manufacturing facilities, but its fiscal third-quarter results topped market estimates.

Next week, CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD), Broadcom (AVGO), Costco Wholesale (COST) are among the companies scheduled to release quarterly results.

On the economic calendar, February auto sales are expected on Monday while the month's payrolls and unemployment are set to be released on Friday.

Provided by MT Newswires.