Wall Street week ahead: Nvidia to offer AI trade reality check

Image source: Photo by UMA media - Pexels

Wall Street week ahead: Nvidia to offer AI trade reality check. 📊 Nvidia's profit report next week could steer the U.S. stock market's course, as investors seek confirmation that the AI-driven investment trend, which has powered equities for two years, is intact after last month's panic-selling triggered by the Chinese startup DeepSeek. Reuters reports.

🌍 SiliconVsEU: Google, Meta executives blast Europe over strict AI regulation as Big Tech ups the ante. CNBC reports.

📊 WalmartWave: Walmart posted stronger-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings Thursday, but a muted near-term forecast tied to tariff and inflation risks sent shares in the world's biggest retailer sharply lower in early trading. The Street reports.

🚘 NissanLift: Nissan jumps on report Japan group seeking Tesla investment. Yahoo Finance reports.

🏆 OpenLead: OpenAI appears to be growing quickly despite increasing competition. The San Francisco-based tech company had 400 million weekly active users as of February, up 33% from 300 million in December. CNBC reports.

👔 ExecBonus: Meta approves plan for bigger executive bonuses following 5% layoffs. CNBC reports.

💵 ValueAmazon: Amazon attracts $119 million investment from activist hedge fund ValueAct. Benzinga reports.

💾 DropEarnings: Dropbox reports quarterly earnings of 73 cents per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 62 cents. Benzinga reports.

(All pricing and percent gains are based on Early Pre-Market from 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM Eastern Time)
Benzinga reports.

1. $MLGO: MicroAlgo
Total gain: +176.52%

2. $NAAS: Naas Technology
Total gain: +89.2%

3. $RILYP: B. Riley Financial
Total gain: +59.88%

4. $UPC: Universe Pharmaceuticals
Total gain: +59.78%

5. $CELH: Celsius Holdings
Total gain: +31.17%

Factors That Cause Market Fluctuation

The stock market is composed of large and small investors making uncoordinated decisions about a variety of investments. The market is like an ecosystem organized by an invisible hand. Some basic economic principles help explain market movements, and with experience and data, more specific indicators help market experts identify fluctuations.

Supply and Demand
In a market economy, any price movement can be explained by a temporary difference between what providers are supplying and what consumers are demanding. This is why economists say that markets tend towards equilibrium, in which supply equals demand.

Market Indicators
The stability of future investments plays a significant role in whether markets go up or down. Investors are more likely to purchase stocks if they are convinced their shares will increase in value in the future.

📰 Read more

The closing price of the top three market percent gainers trading near or above $3 on February 20.

*All pricing and percent gains are based on regular market trading hours from 9:30am to 4:00pm Eastern Time

Benzinga reports

1. $XOS: Xos
Total gain: +94.89%
The stock appeared to be moving on no notable news.

2. $HLF: Herbalife
Total gain: +42.35%
The company reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024. Net sales for the fourth quarter were $1.2 billion, down 0.6% compared to Q4 2023, but at the high end of the guidance range, including a 330-basis-point impact from foreign exchange headwinds. Benzinga reports.

3. $AGH: Aureus Greenway
Total gain: +32.90%
The stock appeared to be moving on no notable news.

Time (ET) / Report / Period

8:30 am - Initial jobless claims - February 15
8:30 am - Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey - February
9:35 am - Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee speaks

"The companies that will succeed in the long term are those that can adapt to changing circumstances, maintain their quality, and deliver consistent returns over time."

― Terry Smith

Sourced in:
"Investing for Growth: How to Make Money by Investing in Quality Companies",
by Terry Smith, published in 2021