On February 24, 2026, US stocks experienced a robust recovery as traders welcomed positive momentum following a challenging Monday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 370 points, closing at 49,174.5, an increase of nearly 0.8%. The S&P 500 followed suit, climbing by approximately 0.8%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite saw a stronger performance, rising about 1%. This upswing was largely attributed to a remarkable rally in software stocks, particularly following a massive deal between Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Meta Platforms Inc. (META), which involves significant GPU shipments for Meta's AI initiatives.
This uptrend coincided with easing worries over AI disruptions, a concern that had rattled investors earlier in the week. Furthermore, insights from events hosted by major AI players, such as Anthropic (ANTH.PVT), highlighted collaboration with high-profile companies including Salesforce (CRM) and FactSet (FDS), bolstering optimism across the software sector.
Investors are closely monitoring Nvidia's upcoming earnings report, scheduled for the evening of February 25, as its results could significantly influence market sentiment in AI-related stocks. As Chief Executive Jensen Huang prepares to outline Nvidia's performance, many expect this to be a pivotal moment for both investor confidence and the broader AI industry.
A noteworthy highlight from the day was the Conference Board's consumer confidence index, which rose 2.2 points to a reading of 91.2 in February. This increase suggests a growing, albeit cautious, positive outlook for economic conditions among consumers despite lingering concerns surrounding inflation and job security.
Within the market, cyclical sectors exhibited strong growth, particularly specialty retailers such as Williams-Sonoma and automakers like Ford and GM. For instance, Ford shares rose by 4%, benefiting from increased consumer spending in the wake of positive economic indicators. Similarly, the travel sector saw a spike, with companies like Booking Holdings and Royal Caribbean gaining momentum.
Meanwhile, notable earnings surprises came from Keysight Technologies, which saw its stock surge by 15% after exceeding earnings expectations. Conversely, Whirlpool Corporation faced a sharp decline, with shares falling by over 8% due to news of a significant equity offering to manage debt levels.
Even as stocks recovered, traders remained cautious about potential trade tensions. The newly implemented 10% global tariff by President Trump could pose challenges ahead for companies dependent on international supply chains. Investors are keenly awaiting Trump's State of the Union address, where insights into upcoming trade policies may be revealed.
In light of these economic developments and sector performances, the overall market sentiment as of February 24 reflects a cautious optimism that remains tethered to ongoing global economic and trade dynamics.