U.S. Stocks Lacked Momentum, Metals and Oil Rebounded

Barry Adams
18 Feb, 2026
New York City

Stocks struggled to advance for the second consecutive session in New York amid persistent weakness in the tech sector. 

The S&P 500 Index decreased 0.05%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.07% as investors awaited the release of the Fed's latest policy meeting minutes. 

The rate-setting committee meeting left unrevised the Fed Funds rate range between 3.5% and 3.75% at the end of its 2-day meeting on January 28. 

Investors are hoping to get deeper insights into the Fed's decision-making and future rate outlook. 

Investors are looking forward to the release of the Fed's preferred inflation measure on Friday.

The personal consumption expenditure price index for December is scheduled to be released on Friday, and investors are expecting the alternative measure of inflation to stay above November's reading of 2.8%. 

The futures prices for crude oil for immediate month delivery rose 1.1% to $63.06 a barrel, and the gold price advanced 0.7% to $4,914 an ounce. 

Silver jumped 3% to $75.65 an ounce, and copper advanced 2% to $5.70 per pound. 

Across the Atlantic, benchmark indexes in Europe inched closer to record levels, driven by a rally in defense stocks and reaction to speculation about the possible change in leadership at the European Central Bank.

 

U.S. Movers

Cadence Design Systems rose 5.3% to $298.28 after the electronic design automation company reported fourth-quarter results. 

Revenue increased to $1.44 billion from $1.35 billion, net income advanced to $388.1 million from $340.2 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.42 from $1.24 a year ago. 

For fiscal year 2026, the company estimated revenue to range between $5.9 billion and $6.0 billion, and diluted earnings per share between $4.95 and $5.05. 

Backlog at the end of 2025 increased to a record high of $7.8 billion, said John Wall, senior vice president and chief financial officer. 

Palo Alto Networks fell 6.5% to $151.25 after the cybersecurity services provider's guidance fell short of market expectations. 

Revenue in the fiscal second quarter ending in January rose 15% to $2.6 billion, net income soared to $432 million from $267 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to 61 cents from 38 cents a year ago. 

For the fiscal third quarter, the company estimated revenue in the range of $2.941 billion and $2.945 billion, and diluted adjusted income per share was between 78 cents and 80 cents. 

Caesars Entertainment increased 3.9% to $19.70 after the casino operator reported fourth-quarter results. 

Net revenues increased to $2.9 billion from $2.8 billion, net income attributable to shareholders swung to a loss of $250 million from an income of $11 million, and diluted earnings per share was a loss of $1.23 from an income of 5 cents. 

While the brick-and-mortar store revenue was stable at $1.0 billion, digital revenue increased to $419 million from $302 million a year ago.