Stock Market News·2026-02-17 22:08Economic Outlook - Fitch Ratings projects that U.S. federal deficits will remain elevated through the 2027 fiscal year, with little political will for fiscal consolidation ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections [2] - The Trump administration may use alternative authorities to impose new tariffs, which could increase inflationary pressures while addressing trade imbalances [3] Technology Sector - Meta Platforms announced a significant agreement to acquire and deploy "millions" of chips from Nvidia, including Blackwell GPUs and Grace CPUs, aiming to enhance AI capabilities for billions of users [4][5] - This partnership solidifies Nvidia's market leadership, although it raises concerns about the substantial capital expenditure required for AI advancements, contributing to volatility in tech indices [5] Energy Sector - Devon Energy reported a strong Q4 with $702 million in free cash flow, exceeding analyst expectations for production and earnings, with an average production of 851,000 barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) per day [6] - The company anticipates a spending outlook of $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion for 2026, despite forecasting a production cut of 10,000 Boe per day in Q1 due to severe winter weather [7] Investment Strategies - Carl Icahn has shifted his investment strategy, reducing exposure in telecommunications and specialty chemicals by cutting stakes in EchoStar and International Flavors & Fragrances, while increasing holdings in Centuri Holdings and Monro, Inc. [8][9] - Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos indicated a cautious approach to media industry consolidation, preferring to wait for Paramount Global's next move before making any strategic decisions [9] Global Macro Trends - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is facing pressure to consider a rate hike as inflation remains at 3.1%, slightly above the target band [10] - Wall Street is experiencing high volatility, influenced by AI-driven growth potential and risks from rapidly evolving technology and trade policies [11]