U.S. Investors Hold Out for Higher Highs Despite Recent AI Jitters

Barry Adams
10 Feb, 2026
New York City

U.S. stocks edged lower in early trading, and investors awaited key economic data later in the week.

The S&P 500 Index declined 0.06%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.2% after rallying for two straight sessions. 

Bargain hunters returned on Friday, and the advance in tech stocks continued for the second consecutive session on Monday as optimism prevailed. 

Despite last week's sell-off, investors are hopeful that market indexes can continue to make new highs amid earnings optimism. 

On the economic front, retail sales data are scheduled on Tuesday, nonfarm payrolls on Wednesday, and a consumer inflation update on Friday. 

This week, investors are looking forward to the release of quarterly updates from Coca-Cola Company, Cisco, Hasbro, Spotify, McDonald's, Applied Materials, Becton Dickinson, Arista Networks, S&P Global, and Moody's Corporation. 

 

U.S. Movers

On Semiconductor Corp. decreased 4.5% to $62.11 after the advanced chipmaker reported mixed fourth-quarter results. 

Revenue decreased to $1.5 billion from $1.7 billion, net income attributable to shareholders fell to $181.8 million from $379.9 million, and diluted earnings per share eased to 45 cents from 88 cents a year ago. 

The company announced a new share repurchase program of up to $6 billion over the next three years and established a new collaboration agreement with GlobalFoundries to develop and manufacture next-generation gallium nitride (GaN) power devices, beginning with 650 volts. 

On Semiconductor estimated first-quarter revenue to range between $1.44 billion and $1.54 billion and diluted earnings per share between 28 cents and 38 cents. 

Upwork Inc. plunged 24% to $14.16 after the freelance platform operator reported a sharp decline in active clients at the end of 2025 and offered a weak revenue outlook for the current quarter. 

Revenue increased 4% to $198.4 million from $119.1 million, net income plunged to $15.6 million from $147.2 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 12 cents from $1.03 a year ago. 

The income tax benefit of $128.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 swung to a provision of $18.4 million in the corresponding period in 2025, which sharply impacted the net income in the final quarter of 2025.

Active clients at the end of 2025 decreased to 785,000 from 832,000, and gross sales value increased 7% to $5,129 from the same period a year ago, respectively.