Market Overview - The S&P/TSX composite index decreased by 177.16 points, closing at 32,896.55, while the Dow Jones industrial average increased by 32.26 points to 49,533.19 [1][2] - The U.S. stock market experienced volatility, particularly in the tech sector, with notable declines in major tech stocks, including a 1.1% drop for Alphabet [2][3] Inflation and Economic Indicators - Canadian inflation rate decreased to 2.3% last month, slightly below economists' expectations, attributed to lower gas prices [1] - The Canadian dollar traded at 73.23 cents US, down from 73.45 cents US [5] Artificial Intelligence Impact - The narrative surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) is shifting, with increasing selectivity among companies viewed as potential winners or losers in the AI landscape [3][4] - Companies across various sectors, including software and legal services, are facing investor skepticism as concerns grow about AI-powered competitors [5] Commodity Prices - The April gold contract fell by US$140.40, settling at US$4,905.90 per ounce, while the April crude oil contract decreased by US$0.49 to US$62.26 per barrel [1][6]

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's self-driving unit Waymo has defended its use of remote assistance personnel amidst congressional inquiries, asserting that these personnel have never been utilized to operate robotaxis during on-road operations [1] Group 1 - Waymo's remote assistance personnel are a point of contention in discussions with Congress [1] - The company emphasizes that remote assistance has not been employed for the movement of robotaxis in real-world scenarios [1]

Core Insights - Terry Smith, known as the "English Warren Buffett," has reduced his stake in Alphabet by over 44%, selling approximately 2.8 million shares in Q4 2025 amid market volatility [1] - Alphabet's Q4 2025 revenue rose 18% to $113.8 billion, with net income increasing 30% to $34.5 billion, and Google Cloud revenue surged 48% to $17.7 billion driven by AI infrastructure demand [1] - Despite strong earnings, Alphabet's stock dropped 11% following guidance for 2026 capital expenditures of $175 billion to $185 billion, nearly double the previous year, raising concerns about rising costs and margin pressure [1] Company Performance - Alphabet's revenue growth in Q4 2025 was 18%, reaching $113.8 billion, while net income increased by 30% to $34.5 billion [1] - Google Cloud revenue saw a significant increase of 48%, amounting to $17.7 billion, attributed to heightened demand for AI infrastructure [1] - The company's annual revenues exceeded $400 billion for the first time, with YouTube generating over $60 billion in ads and subscriptions [1] Market Reaction - Following a strong performance in 2025, where Alphabet shares gained 66%, the stock faced a downturn after the announcement of AI-related plugins by Anthropic, leading to a broader sell-off in SaaS stocks [1] - Alphabet's stock price fell approximately 11% in the two weeks after reaching an all-time high of $349 per share, trading around $298 per share by mid-February 2026 [1] - Analysts project a 14% revenue growth for Alphabet in 2026, with the stock trading at 30 times forward earnings, which is considered reasonable for its scale [1] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to consider their own investment strategies rather than blindly following high-profile investors like Terry Smith, as individual strategies and time horizons may differ [1] - Given Alphabet's strong Q4 performance and growth trajectory in AI, the recent stock pullback may be viewed as an overreaction, suggesting that holding or viewing the dip as a potential entry point for long-term appreciation could be beneficial [1]

Market Overview - The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq experienced gains in Tuesday afternoon trading after fluctuating earlier in the session [1] - Enterprise software companies faced declines due to concerns about artificial intelligence negatively impacting their businesses, with Salesforce dropping over 3%, CrowdStrike down 4.5%, and Palo Alto Networks falling more than 2% [1] Company Highlights - Apple shares rose more than 3.5%, driven by anticipation of a new budget iPhone showcase next month, positioning Apple as a significant beneficiary of AI disruption [1] - BlackRock received attention from ValueAct, which invested in the company, citing its Aladdin platform as a key asset for automating investment decisions and enhancing its reputation beyond just being an ETF operator [1] - BlackRock's technology segment, which includes Aladdin and Preqin revenues, generated nearly $2 billion in 2025, accounting for about 8% of total revenues [1] Earnings Reports and Future Outlook - Palo Alto Networks is set to report earnings, with expectations for the CEO to address AI-related market share concerns and discuss the acquisition of agentic endpoint startup Rio [1] - Dover's CEO indicated an acceleration in orders heading into 2026, particularly in the Fueling Solutions business, while expressing caution about the vehicle aftermarket business due to its exposure to the struggling European market [1] - Upcoming economic data includes housing starts and industrial production, along with minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting [1]

Core Viewpoint - Pinterest's stock has dropped over 40% this year following its fourth-quarter results, which were largely in line with expectations, and cautious guidance for the upcoming quarter [1] Financial Performance - For Q4, Pinterest's revenue increased by 14% year over year to $1.32 billion, aligning closely with the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion [3] - U.S. and Canadian revenue rose by 9% to $979 million, European revenue increased by 25% to $245 million, and revenue from the "rest of world" segment surged 64% to $96 million [3] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 15% year over year to $541.5 million, while adjusted EPS climbed by 30% to $0.67, slightly below the consensus of $0.69 [6] User Metrics - Monthly active users (MAUs) grew by 12% to 619 million, with a 16% increase in "rest of world" users to 356 million and a 9% increase in European users to 158 million; U.S. and Canadian MAUs grew by 4% to 105 million [4] Revenue Per User - Global average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 2% year over year to $2.16, with European ARPU rising by 15% to $1.59 and "rest of world" ARPU soaring 42% to $0.27; U.S. and Canadian ARPU increased by 4% to $9.41 [5] Future Guidance - For Q1, Pinterest projects revenue between $951 million and $971 million, indicating 11% to 14% year-over-year growth, with a 3% currency impact expected to slow organic growth; adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $166 million and $186 million [7]

Core Viewpoint - The company is increasing its investment in Alphabet by purchasing 50 shares at approximately $301 each, raising its total holdings to 200 shares, which will increase its portfolio weighting in Alphabet from 1.15% to 1.55% [1] Financial Performance - Alphabet's shares have declined about 9% since its earnings report, despite strong revenue and earnings-per-share results driven by growth in Search and Google Cloud [1] - The company reported free cash flow of approximately $70 billion for both 2024 and 2025, but this is projected to decrease to about $33 billion in 2026 [1] Capital Expenditure Plans - Alphabet plans to spend between $175 billion and $185 billion on capital expenditures in 2026, significantly higher than the Street's estimate of $115 billion and the $91 billion spent in the previous year [1] - This ambitious spending plan has raised concerns about the company's free cash flow, which is impacting investor sentiment across major tech stocks [1] Competitive Position - Google Cloud is experiencing significant growth, with a 55% year-over-year increase in its backlog, which reached $240 billion [1] - The company is perceived to have a clearer path to success compared to its peers, making it a preferred investment choice during the current tech market downturn [1]

Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Tuesday's key moments. 1. Stocks are little changed to start the shortened trading week, with the Nasdaq , the S & P 500 , and the Dow all trading near their flatlines. The Dow and S & P 500 are coming off their fourth losing week of the last five, while the Nasdaq just posted its fifth straight negative week. The sell-off has been driven by persistent instability in software names ...

Quick Read Invesco QQQ (QQQ) fell to a 12-week low at $594.17 on February 17. The fund dropped 6.7% from its January peak. Microsoft (MSFT) plunged 18.02% year-to-date to $396.49 despite beating earnings expectations. AMD dropped 7.96% and NVIDIA fell 4.55% as semiconductors led the broader selloff. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) has plunged to it ...

Core Viewpoint - Ormat Technologies has signed a long-term geothermal power purchase agreement with NV Energy to supply 150 megawatts of geothermal capacity to support Google's operations in Nevada, with projects expected to come online between 2028 and 2030 [1]. Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement allows Ormat to develop new geothermal projects across Nevada, providing a scalable solution for utilities and major users like Google to invest in clean, reliable power while covering all service costs [1]. - The geothermal capacity is seen as a swift, carbon-free alternative to nuclear energy, addressing the growing demand for electricity driven by AI data centers [1]. Group 2: Market Context - U.S. power consumption is projected to rise due to the rapid build-out of data centers for AI and cryptocurrency, alongside a shift towards electric heating and transport [1]. - Geothermal power producers are increasingly finding new customers in Big Tech, as companies seek substantial electricity for their AI expansion plans [1]. Group 3: Market Reaction - Following the announcement, shares of Ormat surged over 4.7%, reaching $124.54 [1].

Core Insights - TransMedics is highlighted as a promising stock with potential for significant growth, projected to triple in value over the next 6-7 years due to its innovative organ care system [2][22] - The discussion emphasizes the importance of identifying AI-native companies that are fully committed to integrating AI into their operations, contrasting them with companies that are resistant to change [3][4] - Market indicators suggest a cautious yet positive outlook for the stock market, with expected annual returns between 8.5% and 10.5%, influenced by cash flow dynamics and margin improvements in technology companies [8][12] Company Insights - TransMedics has developed an organ care system that enhances the viability of donated organs, which is crucial for improving transplant outcomes [2][22] - Aritzia, a Canadian company expanding into the US market, is noted for its strong financial performance and growth potential, with a market cap of approximately $10 billion [22] - United Therapeutics, founded by a NASA scientist, is innovating in the field of organ growth and has a market cap of $20 billion, showcasing a unique approach to addressing rare diseases [21][22] Market Dynamics - The current market is characterized by a significant amount of cash on the sidelines, indicating potential for investment opportunities as this cash flows back into the market [9] - The potential for margin improvements in technology companies is expected to drive higher valuations, with a focus on companies that can leverage AI to enhance productivity [11][12] - The discussion highlights the risk of job displacement due to AI integration, which could lead to wage deflation and impact consumer spending [15][16] Investment Strategy - The investment strategy includes a cautious approach with stocks like Deere and MSCI, which are seen as stable options [18][20] - Moderate investments are suggested in Intel and United Therapeutics, both of which are positioned to benefit from government support and innovative technologies [20][21] - Aggressive investments focus on TransMedics and Aritzia, both of which are expected to experience substantial growth in their respective markets [22]