Stock Market News·2026-02-25 21:07Market Performance Overview - U.S. equity markets closed positively, with the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) rising approximately 1.1% to near 22,863, driven by semiconductor and software stocks [2] - The S&P 500 (^GSPC) gained 0.8% to end at 6,890.07, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) rose 0.4%, or about 210 points, to finish at 49,174.50 [2] Sector Performance - Nine of the eleven S&P sectors ended the day in the green, with Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors being the top performers, while Health Care lagged [3] - The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) decreased by 7% to 19.55, indicating reduced investor anxiety [3] Tech Giants and AI Momentum - Nvidia (NVDA) shares rose 2.2% ahead of its fourth-quarter results, with analysts predicting a nearly 70% year-over-year profit surge, focusing on the demand for its upcoming "Vera Rubin" AI platform [4] - Salesforce (CRM) saw a 4.1% increase in shares after announcing expanded enterprise AI integrations, reporting record fourth-quarter results with Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) exceeding $72 billion, a 14% year-over-year increase, and a new $50 billion share repurchase program [5] - Snowflake (SNOW) reported fourth-quarter product revenue of $1.23 billion, up 30% year-over-year, but faced scrutiny over its fiscal 2027 guidance [6] Economic Data and Policy Developments - Consumer confidence rose to 91.2 in February, surpassing forecasts of 88.4, alongside positive labor market data showing private employment growth for four consecutive weeks [7] - The market reacted positively to President Trump's State of the Union address, noting the absence of new tariff threats and a proposal for a government-backed 401(k) match, although his call to ban institutional investors from buying single-family homes affected some real estate and financial services stocks [8] Major Corporate Movers - Axon Enterprise (AXON) surged 21.5% after reporting strong earnings driven by demand for AI-powered body cameras [9] - IBM (IBM) rallied 7% as investors reassessed its defensive positioning in the AI consulting market [9] - Lowe's (LOW) fell 4.5% despite beating earnings estimates due to management's warnings about uncertainty in the housing sector [13] - GoDaddy (GDDY) dropped 16% amid skepticism over its AI strategy despite a quarterly earnings beat [13] - Clear Secure (YOU) jumped 31.8% following a strong earnings report and an increase in its dividend [13]