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Morning Brief

Morning Brief

Written by: Yahoo Finance
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 Welcome to Yahoo Finance's flagship show, the Morning Brief. It's your ultimate guide to making smarter decisions for your portfolio. Our hosts track early session volume while bringing you today's top market themes and elevating Yahoo Finance’s most popular newsletter.Yahoo Finance LLC Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Walmart cautious, futures lower, Iran tensions rise

    Walmart cautious, futures lower, Iran tensions rise
    Feb 19 2026
    Futures point lower as investors weigh cautious guidance from Walmart and rising geopolitical risk tied to Iran. Dow futures fall about 166 points, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 also in the red. Markets are watching consumer data and oil prices for the next signal. Walmart modestly beat Q4 expectations, with revenue up 5.6% to $190.7B. But management guided fiscal 2027 net sales growth of 3.5% to 4.5%, citing an unstable macro backdrop and softer sentiment. The retailer now reports as a trillion-dollar company and faces new comparisons with Amazon, whose annual sales have surpassed Walmart’s. Strategists call this a “weird market,” with money rotating out of tech into smaller sectors like energy and staples. Tech valuations have reset, but earnings growth remains strongest there. Oil near $60 limits consumer pressure for now, even as tensions with Iran lift uncertainty. Trending Tickers: Deere lifts profit outlook on farm recovery; Occidental Petroleum beats on sales and capital expenditures; Etsy jumps after selling Depop to eBay for $1.2B. Takeaways: Futures fall on cautious guidance and Iran headlines Walmart guides conservatively despite Q4 beat Amazon sales now exceed Walmart annually Sector rotation drives dispersion across the market Oil remains contained, limiting inflation risk Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • US lags global surge, valuation gap widens, Japan energy deal advances

    US lags global surge, valuation gap widens, Japan energy deal advances
    Feb 18 2026
    Stocks are rebounding after another AI-driven sell-off, with housing starts and durable goods topping estimates despite December declines. Still, US equities are off to their worst relative start since 1995, as investors await the GDP report and reassess positioning. The S&P 500’s premium has widened to roughly 40% over global peers, prompting debate over allocations. International markets are up about 8% year to date, while the US is flat, driven mainly by multiple expansion rather than earnings. Japan will deploy $36B into US energy and critical minerals, part of a broader $550B framework, backing a major Ohio gas project tied to data center demand. Trending: Moderna jumps on FDA reversal of flu review; New York Times gains after Berkshire stake; Palo Alto Networks falls on lowered profit outlook. Takeaways: US underperforms global markets on valuation gap International gains driven by multiples, not earnings Japan invests $36B into US energy build-out AI volatility pressures software and cybersecurity Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • Tech sell-off deepens, AI disruption debate, IPO window tested

    Tech sell-off deepens, AI disruption debate, IPO window tested
    Feb 17 2026
    Futures are lower after the holiday break, with Nasdaq 100 futures off about 0.7% as investors digest last week’s worst stretch since November. The AI transition remains the central driver, with traders watching earnings commentary and capital expenditures discipline for clarity. Software stocks have reset sharply, with Microsoft (MSFT), Oracle (ORCL), and Palantir (PLTR) pulling back from elevated multiples. Investors are recalibrating around return on AI spend and which companies can embed AI into core revenue streams rather than chase hype. Banking executives argue that AI will enhance productivity rather than replace entire sectors, but questions remain about the speed of disruption and regulatory lag. In IPOs, discipline is returning, with valuations and pricing scrutiny shaping 2026’s expected rebound. Trending tickers: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) reopens Paramount talks, Tripadvisor (TRIP) faces activist pressure, and Masimo (MASI) surges on a Danaher deal. Takeaways: • Nasdaq futures lead declines as AI volatility continues• Software multiples compress amid ROI scrutiny• AI seen as a productivity boost, not a complete replacement• IPO market favors pricing discipline over momentum• M&A and activism drive single-stock moves Yahoo Finance's flagship show, Morning Brief, is your go-to source for smarter investing and market moves. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
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