Stock Markets February 20, 2026

U.S. Futures Tick Up as Investors Eye Inflation Data; Nvidia, Alibaba, Dropbox Slide in Premarket

Mixed corporate results and a Pentagon mention of Chinese firms weigh on early movers as markets wait for key economic readings

By Maya Rios NVDA BABA BIDU AKAM LYV
U.S. Futures Tick Up as Investors Eye Inflation Data; Nvidia, Alibaba, Dropbox Slide in Premarket
NVDA BABA BIDU AKAM LYV

U.S. stock futures rose modestly in premarket trading as investors took a cautious stance ahead of important inflation and growth reports, while individual equities moved on company-specific news. Chipmaker Nvidia dipped slightly, several Chinese ADRs declined after a Pentagon list reference, and a range of other stocks reacted to earnings, guidance and operational updates.

Key Points

  • U.S. futures rose modestly as investors awaited inflation and growth data, maintaining a cautious stance.
  • Company-specific news drove premarket volatility: earnings, guidance revisions, Pentagon listings and clinical trial outcomes were major catalysts.
  • Sectors most affected include technology, live entertainment, healthcare diagnostics, real estate marketplace, and precious metals production.

U.S. stock futures inched higher on Friday as market participants prepared for upcoming inflation and growth data, amid an atmosphere of heightened geopolitical tension. Traders appeared cautious, reacting to a mix of corporate earnings, guidance updates and government references affecting individual stocks in the premarket session.

Below are the most notable premarket movers and the company-level developments that drove their price action:

  • Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) - The chip designer's shares dipped 0.3% in early trading ahead of its scheduled earnings next week. Investors are positioned for the report to set the tone for sentiment around the stock going forward.
  • Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) and Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) - American depositary receipts for Alibaba fell 2.1% while Baidu dropped 3.4% after both companies were briefly named on a U.S. list compiled by the Pentagon that identified firms with ties to the Chinese military.
  • Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ:AKAM) - Shares plunged about 10% following the cloud services firm's issuance of disappointing guidance for the first quarter, despite fourth-quarter sales that exceeded expectations.
  • Live Nation (NYSE:LYV) - The live entertainment operator's stock rose 4.2% after reporting quarterly revenue that topped estimates, supported by persistent consumer demand for concerts and events in arenas and amphitheaters.
  • Dropbox (NASDAQ:DBX) - The file hosting company saw its shares fall 5.2% after reporting a year-over-year decline in fourth-quarter revenue and providing 2026 guidance that disappointed investors.
  • Newmont Goldcorp (NYSE:NEM) - The world's largest gold producer dropped 3.5% after warning that planned upgrades at some of its managed mines will reduce bullion output this year.
  • Grail (NASDAQ:GRAL) - The early cancer detection company tumbled about 45% after announcing that its multi-cancer screening test, Galleri, did not achieve the trial's primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in combined Stage III and IV cancers.
  • Opendoor Technologies (NASDAQ:OPEN) - The online residential real estate marketplace rallied roughly 18% after reporting fourth-quarter revenue that beat analyst estimates.
  • AdvanSix (NYSE:ASIX) - Shares edged up 0.1% after the chemicals maker posted mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results, noting solid year-over-year sales growth and improved operating performance, while earnings missed Wall Street expectations.

Overall, the premarket session reflected a patchwork of company-specific drivers - from earnings beats and revenue surprises to guidance revisions and external government listings - that influenced investor positioning ahead of macroeconomic releases. With key inflation and growth figures pending, traders remained guarded about taking large directional bets.


Market context - The premarket activity underscores how individual earnings and regulatory-related mentions can move stocks independently of broader index trends. Several technology and consumer-facing companies saw material moves based on forward guidance or trial outcomes, while commodity-linked and industrial names reacted to operational plans that affect production and near-term output.

Risks

  • Earnings and forward guidance risk - Companies issuing weak guidance or missing revenue expectations can prompt sharp stock declines, impacting technology and consumer sectors.
  • Geopolitical and regulatory risk - Inclusion on government lists can weigh on Chinese ADRs, affecting investor sentiment toward international technology names.
  • Operational and production risk - Planned mine upgrades that reduce output can pressure commodity producers and related sectors.

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