Dow Approaches 50,000 Milestone as Milder CPI Data Battles Tech Sector Volatility

In a high-stakes afternoon of trading this Friday, February 13th, 2026, the U.S. stock market is navigating a complex landscape of cooling inflation data and divergent corporate earnings. Investors are closely monitoring the major averages as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) continues its historic march toward the 50,000 threshold, even as technical resistance and sector-specific volatility create a choppy environment for the broader market.Market Indexes and Afternoon PerformanceAs of the mid-afterno ...