Market Volatility: Walmart Outlook and Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Major Indexes

U.S. equity markets experienced a volatile afternoon of trading on Thursday, February 19th, 2026, as investors grappled with a mix of disappointing corporate guidance from retail giants and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. While the major indexes attempted to find their footing following a mid-week rally, the sentiment turned cautious as the reality of "higher-for-longer" interest rates was reinforced by recent Federal Reserve minutes and fresh economic data.Major Index Performance and S ...