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Walmart's earnings will be the first under new CEO John Furner.

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A closely watched retail earnings report and some inflation data will highlight a holiday shortened trading week.

Markets are closed Monday for Presidents Day. Once trading resumes, investors will be getting data delayed by last year’s shutdown, including Friday’s release of the the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report for December, updated housing starts and home sales data, and the U.S. trade deficit.

Retail giant Walmart will be in the spotlight Thursday when it releases its quarterly earnings report. Traders are also expecting financial updates from John Deere, Analog Devices, Palo Alto Networks, Carvana, and DoorDash.

Read to the bottom for our calendar of key events—and one more thing.

PCE Inflation, Q4 GDP Lead Data Releases

Investors will get another look at December inflation with Friday’s release of the PCE report. Inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index remained unchanged in December, and the PCE report is closely followed by the Federal Reserve, meaning its pricing data could influence how officials view the path of interest rates. The minutes for the January meeting of the Federal Reserve are also likely to provide insight into officials’ views on the state of the economy.

Investors will get their first look at economic growth measurements for the fourth quarter with the Thursday release of GDP. It comes after the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported strong economic growth in the third quarter, with its final revisions coming in at 4.4%. 

New home sales and housing starts data for both November and December are scheduled for release this week, and pending home sales for January will provide a forward-looking indicator for the housing market. Two reports on U.S. international trade are also due this week, while durable-goods orders for December can offer insight into the health of the manufacturing sector. 

Walmart Earnings First Under New CEO; 13F Watch Starts

Walmart is set to issue its first earnings report under new CEO John Furner. The retailer recently hit $1 trillion in market capitalization, making it the first big box store to reach that size. In its last report, Walmart posted a 4.2% increase in comparable sales and raised its full-year sales forecast.

Farm equipment maker John Deere's report follows a warning that its annual net income would come in lower than expectations as it faced difficult market conditions. Deere’s results can serve as a market indicator for the agricultural and industrial sectors. Tech firms on the reporting calendar include including chipmaker Analog Devices, cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, and chip design software maker Cadence Design. 

Meanwhile, the quarterly 13F fillings that detail the holdings and transactions of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) and other big investors are expected to start showing up this week, illustrating fourth-quarter portfolio changes. Big moves by Berkshire would be considered some of the last under Warren Buffett.

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This Week’s Calendar

Monday, Feb. 16

• Markets closed for Presidents Day holiday
• Federal Reserve Officials Speaking: Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman

Tuesday, Feb. 17

• Empire State manufacturing (February)
• Federal Reserve Officials Speaking: Fed Governor Michael Barr, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly
• Key Earnings: Medtronics (MDT), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Cadence Design (CDNS), Kenvue (KVUE)
  

Wednesday, Feb. 18

• Housing starts (December, November)
• More Data to Watch: Durable-goods orders (December), January Federal Reserve meeting minutes 
• Federal Reserve Officials Speaking: Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman
• Key Earnings: Analog Devices (ADI), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Carvana (CVNA), Moody’s (MCO), DoorDash (DASH), Occidental Petroleum (OXY)
  

Thursday, Feb. 19

• U.S. trade deficit (December)
• More Data to Watch: Initial jobless claims (Week ending Feb. 14), U.S. trade balance (December), Retail inventories (December), Wholesale inventories (December), Philadelphia Fed manufacturing (February), Pending home sales (January)
• Federal Reserve Officials Speaking: Federal Reserve Officials Speaking: Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari
• Key Earnings: Walmart (WMT), Deere & Co (DE), Newmont (NEM), Southern (SO)

Friday, Feb. 20

• Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index (December)
• More Data to Watch: Gross Domestic Product - first reading (Q4), S&P flash Purchasing Manager Index (February), New home sales (December, November), Consumer sentiment - final (February)
• Federal Reserve Officials Speaking: Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic

One More Thing

If you’re in your 50s, do you need to start buying bonds? Not necessarily, writes Investopedia’s Trina Paul, who has more here on how your investing strategy can shift with age. 

Palo Alto Networks shares are down about 9% for 2026 so far

Jonathan Raa / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Palo Alto Networks is slated to post fiscal second-quarter earnings on Tuesday afternoon, with analysts calling for growing revenue and profits.
• Options pricing suggests traders expect the stock could move up to 8% in either direction by the end of the week following the results.

Palo Alto Networks is set to report earnings after the closing bell Tuesday, with traders anticipating a big move from the cybersecurity firm's stock in the wake of the results.

Options pricing suggests traders expect Palo Alto Networks (PANW) stock could move up to 8% in either direction by the end of the week following the report. A move of that size from Friday close near $167 could bring the stock back above $180 at the high end, reversing some of its slump from October highs. At the low end, the stock could sink to $153.

Despite logging gains over the past week, Palo Alto Networks shares have had a rough start to this year, as cybersecurity stocks took a hit amid a broader rout in software. The company's shares are down 9% for 2026 so far, and nearly 25% off their October record.

Why This Matters to Investors

The growing capabilities of AI have also introduced new security threats, boosting demand for Palo Alto Networks' cybersecurity offerings in recent quarters. Investors and analysts will likely be watching what the company's latest results Tuesday could say about industry trends.

William Blair analysts said ahead of the report that investors will also likely be looking for updates on Palo Alto Networks' plans regarding its recent acquisitions. On Wednesday, the company said that it completed its $25 billion deal for CyberArk. Palo Alto Networks last month also closed its acquisition of AI cybersecurity firm Chronosphere, which was announced alongside last quarter's earnings in November.

Palo Alto Networks is seen reporting adjusted earnings per share of 94 cents on a 14% year-over-year jump in revenue to $2.58 billion for its fiscal second quarter, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha.

Wall Street analysts are widely bullish on the stock. Of the 14 analysts with current ratings tracked by Visible Alpha, 10 recommend buying the stock, compared to four neutral ratings. Their average price target at $218 would suggest about 30% upside from Friday's close.

With Friday's move, Pinterest shares are down more than 40% since the start of the year

Ina Fassbender / AFP / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Pinterest shares tumbled Friday after the social media company's fourth-quarter results came in short of estimates.
• Executives said many of Pinterest's retail clients are pulling back on ad spending as they grapple with higher costs from tariffs.

Pinterest’s stock is plunging after the company said its business took a hit from tariffs—though maybe not in the way you'd expect.

Shares of Pinterest (PINS) were down nearly 20% Friday afternoon, a day after the social media platform cited the impact of higher tariffs on its ad clients for its disappointing quarterly results.

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready told investors in Thursday's earnings call that tariffs are "disproportionately affecting ad spend from our top retail advertisers" as they grapple with rising costs, according to an AlphaSense transcript.

Why This Is Significant

Pinterest's results show some retailers are responding to headwinds from President Donald Trump's tariff policies by cutting advertising costs, and illustrates how the impact of changes in trade policy can ripple across industries.

Pinterest reported adjusted earnings per share of 67 cents on a 14% year-over-year jump in revenue to $1.32 billion for the fourth quarter. Both figures narrowly missed analysts' estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. The company's first-quarter outlook of $951 million to $971 million in revenue also fell short of projections.

JPMorgan and Bank of America analysts downgraded Pinterest's stock to neutral from "buy" or equivalent ratings following the results. JPMorgan analysts warned the pressure from large retailers' ad spend could worsen in the current quarter.

Pinterest's worries have had a limited impact on other social media stocks. Shares of Snapchat parent Snap (SNAP) and Instagram owner Meta (META) briefly turned lower Friday before recovering later in the session. Ready said Pinterest's “higher mix of large retailers relative to some of our peers has resulted in us feeling more of an impact."

With Friday's move, Pinterest shares have lost over 40% of their value since the start of the year, and more than 60% in the last 12 months.

Off The Charts: The Visual Says It All

The health care workforce is growing steadily as the American population ages.

Raquel Natalicchio / Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Manufacturing, once the largest employer in the U.S. economy, has shed jobs consistently since 2022. Health care has gained them.
  
• The two sectors have been on opposite trajectories since 2008, when health care employment first exceeded manufacturing.
  

If you want to picture a typical American worker, forget the overalls and hardhat, and think scrubs and a stethoscope.

As of January, more than 18 million people worked in health care, compared to 12 million in manufacturing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And those two sectors have been headed in opposite directions in recent years.

Factory jobs evaporated nearly every month, despite an unusual increase of 5,000 in the most recent jobs report Wednesday. Health care added 137,000 jobs in January, offsetting an employment decline in other sectors.

Total employment in 2025 would have declined if not for the fact that health care added 33,000 jobs each month, economists at BMO Capital Markets said in a research note.

What This Means For The Economy

The fact that job gains are concentrated in health care suggests the labor market may be more fragile than it would appear, despite a healthy top-line number.

The ranks of health care workers are growing as the population ages. Meanwhile, automation and trade turmoil drain away employment opportunities in the once-dominant manufacturing sector, despite President Donald Trump's tariff policies intended to spark a "renaissance."

"Health care continues to drive the bulk of job creation in the U.S. economy, while most other labour market indicators ... remain soft," Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO, wrote.

Existing-home sales plummeted in January due to poor weather conditions and ongoing affordability challenges.

Daniel Acker / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Home sales in January tumbled 8.4% from December levels.
• Weather likely played a role, the National Association of Realtors said, while low inventory levels helped keep prices elevated.
• Economists expect sales to improve this year thanks to lower mortgage rates, but affordability issues are expected to persist.

Only a few short weeks ago, December home sales surged to their strongest level in nearly three years and home sellers were optimistic about the future. Mortgage rates were down, sales were up and there was hope that home buying activity was about to pick up after several slow years.

On Thursday, real estate professionals were reminded that the current housing market is still rough for both home sellers and buyers.

Existing home sales in January were down 8.4% from December, coming in at an annualized rate below 4 million. That kept housing market activity near decades-low levels, where it's been for the past three years.

“The decrease in sales is disappointing,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), in a statement. 

Why This Matters to You

The housing market plays a major role in the U.S. economy, influencing everything from construction jobs and consumer spending to household wealth and inflation. When sales fall even as mortgage rates decline, it highlights how limited inventory and elevated prices can keep affordability strained.

Affordability is Improving

Home sales fell in January despite improved conditions, with home borrowing costs hitting their lowest levels since 2022. Mortgage rates averaged 6.1% in January, down from nearly 7% a year ago.

“Affordability conditions are improving,” Yun said. “This is due to wage gains outpacing home price growth and mortgage rates being lower than a year ago. However, supply has not kept pace and remains quite low.”

There were fewer home listings in January, leaving potential buyers with fewer options and allowing home sellers to demand higher prices. But the pace of home price acceleration has slowed from recent years. In January, the median price was $396,800, up just 0.9% from the same point last year.

“Low supply is still keeping home price appreciation in positive territory,” wrote Wells Fargo economists Charlie Dougherty and Ali Hajibeigi. “Inventory is up 3.4% over the past year, but availability no longer appears to be increasing rapidly and is still far below pre-pandemic averages, implying moderate home price appreciation ahead.”

Weather Was a Big Factor

The weather was one issue impacting home sales. Yun said that the cold and wet conditions in early January made it difficult to assess what was behind the sales decline.

But home sales were depressed nationwide, including areas where weather wasn’t a big factor, said Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers. Even so, the weather may continue to affect home sales in the coming months, he wrote. 

“The cold start to 2026 may continue to limit new listings for buyers in coming months, especially within the Midwest and Northeast regions,” Ayers wrote. “Falling mortgage rates should provide a boost to home sales once the weather warms up.”

Economists expect a thaw in the frozen market conditions this spring, but that may not be enough to return the housing market to its pre-pandemic strength. Wells Fargo noted that a meaningful improvement in affordability seemed “far off in the distance,” while Ayers said low inventory levels were likely to continue to plague the market.

“With home prices cooling or even declining in some locales, affordability concerns are easing slowly,” wrote Ayers, who projected home sales levels to improve in 2026. “Still, there is likely a cap on how much sales activity can improve in the near term with supply constraints widespread in many areas.”

Bitcoin is struggling to stage a turnaround.

Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Coinbase said it is buying the dip amid a crypto rout.
• Meanwhile, Standard Chartered Bank now forecasts more downside in digital assets and has cut its year-end price target for bitcoin.

Crypto whales are rushing in where other investors fear to tread.

Bitcoin is struggling to stage a turnaround. Recent prices are stuck under the $70,000 level, and altcoins including ether and solana are in a similar state. Though the volatility in crypto markets appears to be putting off retail investors, some industry players are buying. Crypto exchange Coinbase Global (COIN), for example, said it will continue to "buy the dip" in bitcoin—and its own stock.

That optimism has yet to meaningfully register in crypto markets, but some crypto-linked stocks are climbing today. Coinbase is up 15%, while shares of the Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss-founded exchange Gemini have risen about 12%. Strategy (MSTR) and Circle (CRCL) are also climbing, though more modestly.

Some experts worry that the reprieve in crypto stocks may be short-lived. One bank is calling for more pain in the near future, citing a lack of new buyers.

WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU

Crypto is trying to stage a comeback after seeing prices cut in half from its October peak. While retail investors seem spooked by the volatility, exchange Coinbase Global (COIN) said it will continue to "buy the dip" in bitcoin.

"Crypto is cyclical, and experience tells us it's never as good, or as bad as it seems," Coinbase said in its shareholder letter on Thursday. The "undercurrent of technological change and crypto product adoption" has not been blunted by the volatility in the digital asset market, it said.

The exchange spent $1.7 billion buying back shares in the between the start of October and early February, CFO Alesia Haas said during the company's earnings call Thursday. Coinbase has some $2.3 billion available for future transactions after the company's board approved an increase to its existing repurchase plan.

British bank Standard Chartered yesterday cut its year-end price target on bitcoin as well as major altcoins, citing "further price downside" in the coming months. It expects bitcoin to hit a low of $50,000, suggesting downside of more than 25% from recent prices. The bank also said ethereum could fall to a low of $1,400.

"We think further capitulation is likely, rather than new buyers stepping in soon," wrote Geoff Kendrick, the firm's global head of digital assets research. A "resumption of ETF inflows" is needed for a recovery, he wrote.

Standard Chartered appears to think ETF buyers will show up eventually, as it expects digital asset prices to recover and hit their bullish year-end price targets. At the same time, the bank cut its 2026 forecast for bitcoin by $50,000 to $100,000, and lowered its outlook for ethereum by $3,500 to $4,000.

Apple stock erased its year-to-date gains on Thursday amid a slew of bad news.

Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Apple stock erased its year-to-date gains this week after the Trump administration upped its pressure on the iPhone maker and reports suggested long-awaited AI features were being delayed again.
• Apple shares gained momentum in January after the company announced an AI partnership with Alphabet and reported record holiday-quarter revenue.

Apple (AAPL) stock is in the red again. 

The tech giant's shares slumped 5% yesterday after the Federal Trade Commission said it had sent a warning letter to the company over its Apple News service, adding to pressure felt after reports Wednesday that the company was once again delaying the release of some AI-powered Siri features. That added to persistent concerns the iPhone maker’s AI capabilities lag its peers. 

The shares slipped again early Friday, recently falling nearly 1%. Read Investopedia's full coverage of today's trading here.

Why This Is Important

Tech stocks have been the driving force behind a stock market rally that began with the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. Because of tech's weight in stock indexes, recent headwinds for the sector, including concerns about AI spending and stretched valuations, have been a drag on the broader market.

Apple and its Magnificent Seven peers are having a rough 2026, with the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS) in the red and underperforming the S&P 500 so far this year.

Shares of hyperscalers Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN) and Meta (META) have been weighed down by concerns that they are overspending on AI infrastructure. Their massive data center spending has historically been a boon to chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA), but even that stock is treading water amid anxiety about tech sector valuations. 

Before this week’s setbacks, Apple stock appeared to have turned a corner. Apple announced in mid-January that it had selected Alphabet’s (GOOG) Gemini to power its future AI features, including the updated Siri features that are reportedly delayed. Weeks later, Apple reported record results for the all-important holiday quarter, when iPhone and services revenue easily beat estimates. 

Apple shares rose nearly 8% in the week following that earnings report, lifting the stock into the green for the year. Thursday’s slump erased most of those post-earnings gains.

The smaller, more-affordable R2 is expected to be available in the second quarter.

Josh Lefkowitz / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Rivian shares jumped more than 25% Friday after the electric vehicle maker reported better-than-expected quarterly results and issued a rosy outlook for sales growth.
• Plans to launch its R2 SUV are still on track for the second quarter, and Rivian said it will announce details about the R2 and other products at an event on March 12.

A solid fourth quarter and ambitious plans for 2026 sent Rivian stock soaring Friday.

Rivian (RIVN) shares jumped more than 25% after the electric vehicle maker narrowly topped revenue estimates at $1.29 billion, while recording a smaller adjusted loss than analysts had forecast at 54 cents per share.

The company said its plans to start selling the R2, an SUV that will be cheaper than its current vehicles, remain on track for the second quarter. Rivian said that more details about its product lineup will be coming at a March 12 event.

Why This Matters to Investors

Rivian is looking to grow its share of the American EV market, at a time when Tesla's sales are declining and other major automakers are shifting focus away from EVs. Friday's move suggests investors are bullish on the company's plans for this year.

Rivian expects to deliver between 62,000 and 67,000 vehicles this year, a more than 50% jump at the midpoint from the 42,247 it delivered in 2025. The company hopes software upgrades and its new model can help drive demand that has slowed in the U.S. after the Trump administration allowed EV tax credits to expire last September.

Wedbush analysts said they remain confident in Rivian's long-term plan and said the EV maker is in the midst of a "massive transformation" as it looks to streamline production of its R1 vehicles and ramp production of R2s this year. Wedbush has an "outperform" rating on the stock and a $25 price target.

Rivian shares rose 27% to close Friday's session at $17.73. Despite today's surge, the stock is still down 10% since the start of 2026 after hitting its highest level in two years in December.

UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect closing share price information.

Inflation’s bite means your savings may be slipping—but one straightforward move can help you stay ahead.

Focus Pixel Art / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

• Inflation has eased to 2.4%, but it will still eat away at any savings that are earning less than that rate.
• You can continue to earn well above today’s inflation rate with a top high-yield savings account, where rates range from 4.20% to 5%.
• To lock in your inflation protection, consider adding a top-paying CD, which guarantees its APY for months or years into the future.

Is Your Savings Rate Higher Than Inflation? Here’s How to Check

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) puts inflation at 2.4% over the last 12 months, which is a welcome dip from last month’s 2.7% reading. But it still sets a clear benchmark for your savings: If your cash in the bank is earning less than 2.4%, your money is falling behind rising prices.

That’s because inflation doesn’t just affect what you spend at the store. It also determines whether your savings in the bank are gaining ground or gradually losing purchasing power over time. When your interest rate trails the inflation rate, that gap works against you—even if your balance continues to build.

That’s where many savers run into trouble. The national average savings yield is just 0.39%, and the largest banks pay as little as 0.01%. With rates that low, even a moderate inflation reading can turn a positive balance into a real-world loss.

The difference compounds quickly. Earning 0.50% APY while inflation runs at 2.4% creates a 1.9% shortfall each year. Though the percentage loss is the same no matter your balance, the larger your savings, the bigger the dollar impact.

But there’s good news: You’re not stuck with such low returns, since dozens of accounts exist that can propel your savings above today’s inflation bar. You just have to know where to look.

Why This Matters

The inflation rate is the minimum your cash needs to earn to maintain purchasing power. If your savings APY falls short, moving to a higher-yield account can close the gap and keep your money growing in real terms.

The Easiest Way to Outpace Inflation Right Now

The most straightforward way to protect your savings is to earn an APY that exceeds today’s inflation rate. High-yield savings accounts make that possible—without locking up your money.

These mostly online banks and credit unions pay significantly more than traditional institutions while still giving you full access to your cash. And the gap isn’t small.

Right now, the 10 best high-yield savings accounts offer 4.15% APY or better—with some reaching as high as 5.00%. That’s comfortably higher than today’s 2.7% inflation rate, meaning your savings can truly grow.

As the chart below shows, top-tier savings yields have remained above inflation for more than two and a half years—a nice opportunity for savers willing to move their cash.

It's Not Too Late to Move Your Money

Though the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates this year—which would push savings yields lower—it’s still worth moving to a top-paying account now. Even if cuts occur, the decline in yields would most likely be gradual, and today’s high-yield rates could stay above inflation for some time.

To capture inflation-beating returns, you may need to look beyond your primary bank. Online banks and credit unions often lead the market, and our daily ranking of the best high-yield savings accounts makes it easy to compare today’s top rates. If you’re holding significant cash at a traditional bank, moving it to a high-yield account could be one of the simplest ways to improve your returns.

Yes, Your Deposits Are Protected

Deposits at any FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union are backed by the federal government if the institution fails. Coverage is identical—up to $250,000 per person, per institution—regardless of where you keep your money.

Before Rates Fall, Consider Locking In a CD

A certificate of deposit (CD) can help you preserve today’s elevated returns—even if savings rates begin to drift lower. Unlike a savings account, a CD guarantees the APY you lock in for a set term, whether that’s a few months or several years.

That rate lock can be especially valuable in an uncertain rate environment. While markets expect the Federal Reserve to lower rates sometime this year, the timing and pace remain unclear. If cuts arrive, savings yields will likely move down as well—but any CD you already hold will continue paying its full rate until maturity.

In other words, a CD can extend your inflation protection well into the future, no matter what happens in the broader rate environment.

CDs are easy to hold anywhere

Because CDs require no ongoing management until maturity, they’re easy to open at a bank or credit union where you don’t already have accounts. That flexibility lets you shop nationally for one of today’s best CD rates without moving your everyday banking.

Right now, the top nationwide CD pays 4.50% on a 7-month term, and more than a dozen additional offers pay 4.15% or better on terms up to 24 months. If you’re comfortable locking in longer, you can even secure a guaranteed 4.00% to 4.05% return for 3 to 5 years.

News of the day for Feb. 13, 2026

The major indexes tumbled on Thursday as tech stocks suffered another sell-off.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Stock futures are lower this morning as investors digest a new round of earnings reports and await a key inflation report; the Consumer Price Index report is expect to show that inflation cooled in January; Applied Materials stock is soaring after the chipmaking equipment manufacturer topped estimates in its latest quarter; Rivian shares are sharply higher as the EV maker laid out ambitious sales targets; and Coinbase shares are gaining despite a surprise quarterly loss for the cryptocurrency exchange. Here's what you need to know today.

Stock Futures Slip After Thursday's Tech-Fueled Sell-Off

Stock futures are losing ground this morning as investors digest a flurry of earnings reports and await key inflation data. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were recently down 0.3%, while those linked to the tech-heavy Nasdaq slipped 0.4%. The major indexes closed sharply lower on Thursday—the Dow shed 670 points and the Nasdaq dropped 2%—as investors dumped tech stocks. Bitcoin, which has tumbled in recent weeks, was at $67,000 recently, up from an overnight low of $65,300. Gold futures were up 0.8% at just under $5,000 an ounce, while WTI futures, the U.S. crude oil benchmark, slipped 0.7% to $62.40 per barrel. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which hit its lowest level since December yesterday, was holding steady this morning at 4.10%.

CPI Data Expected to Show Inflation Cooled in January

The Consumer Price index report, due to be released at 8:30 a.m. ET, is expected to show that inflation moderated in January from the month before. The CPI is expected to have risen 2.5% in January compared to the same time a year ago, down from a 2.7% bump in December. Core inflation, which excludes more-volatile food and energy costs, is also expected to have risen by 2.5%, down from 2.6% in December and the lowest mark since 2021. Tariffs stoked inflation for much of last year, keeping it well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, but inflation has slowed recently as companies look to have finished raising prices to mitigate the impact of tariffs. However, some experts have said inflation could pick back up later this year thanks to the tax cuts passed by Congress last year and the three Fed rate cuts that came late last year. A soft inflation reading could boost expectations that the Fed will be in a position to start cutting rates again, after a strong January jobs report earlier this week tempered investor hopes for further cuts.

Applied Materials Stock Soars on Strong Earnings

Shares of Applied Materials (AMAT) are surging Friday morning, a day after the company's fiscal first-quarter results topped Wall Street estimates. The maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment reported $7.01 billion in revenue, a smaller decline than analysts had forecast, while adjusted earnings per share were flat year-over-year at $2.38. Applied Materials' sales and profit forecasts for the second quarter also came in well above estimates. The company recently announced the conclusion of a federal government probe launched in 2023 investigating whether it violated export restrictions to China between 2020 and 2022, and said it has agreed to pay a $252.5 million settlement to the Department of Commerce. Applied Materials shares were up more than 10% in recent premarket trading, poised to open well above a record close of $341.34 set last month.

Rivian Jumps as EV Maker Lays Out Growth Plans

Rivian (RIVN) shares are also on the move Friday after the electric vehicle maker posted a solid quarter. The electric vehicle maker narrowly topped revenue estimates at $1.29 billion, while recording a smaller adjusted loss than analysts had forecast. Rivian said its plans to start selling the R2, an SUV that will be cheaper than its current vehicles, remain on track for the second quarter, and that more details about its product lineup will be coming at a March 12 event. Rivian expects to deliver between 62,000 and 67,000 vehicles this year, up from the 42,247 it delivered last year. The company hopes software upgrades and its new model can help drive demand that has slowed in the U.S. after the Trump administration allowed EV tax credits to expire last September. Rivian shares were up 22% ahead of the opening bell.

Coinbase Rises Despite Surprise Quarterly Loss

Coinbase (COIN) stock is gaining premarket despite posting a surprise loss in its latest quarterly results as executives tried to reassure investors about its prospects despite crypto's recent slump. The cryptocurrency exchange recorded $1.78 billion in fourth-quarter revenue, slightly below estimates, while it posted a surprise net loss of $2.49 per share. The company said it remains bullish on the crypto market long-term, while also noting its plans to continue diversifying its offerings to include equities and other rapidly growing areas such as prediction markets. Coinbase and other crypto-related stocks have tumbled in recent weeks as bitcoin has experienced renewed volatility, earlier this month hitting its lowest point since Oct. 2024. Coinbase shares were up 5% recently, but entered the day down nearly 70% from their July 2025 record levels.