U.S. stock markets are poised for a lower open on Friday, February 13th, 2026, as investor anxiety surrounding the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence continues to cast a long shadow over the technology sector. Premarket trading indicates a continuation of the previous day's sharp sell-off, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq all pointing to a negative start to the trading session.
Premarket Pulse and Index Overview
In premarket trading, futures for the S&P 500 were down less than 0.1%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also edged 0.1% lower. Nasdaq futures signaled a weaker open as well, reflecting the ongoing pressure on technology-related stocks. This follows a turbulent session on Thursday where the S&P 500 plunged 1.6%, its second-worst day since Thanksgiving. The Dow shed 1.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite tumbled 2%.
The current market sentiment is being heavily influenced by a significant rotation away from technology stocks. Concerns are mounting that the rapid advancements in AI could disrupt existing business models, leading to a reassessment of valuations for many software and tech companies. This has led to a notable divergence in performance, with the equal-weighted S&P 500 outperforming its market-cap-weighted counterpart, which is heavily skewed towards large-cap tech.
Upcoming Market Catalysts
Investors are keenly awaiting the release of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which is expected to provide further insights into the trajectory of inflation. Economists are forecasting a cooling in the annual inflation rate to around 2.5%, which would bring it closer to the Federal Reserve's 2% target. This data will be a critical input for the central bank's future monetary policy decisions. Currently, market expectations are overwhelmingly in favor of the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady at its next meeting.
Looking ahead, traders should also note that U.S. markets will be closed on Monday, February 16th, for Presidents' Day.
Movers and Shakers in the News
The apprehension around AI's impact has been particularly evident in the performance of several major technology companies. Cisco Systems (CSCO) saw its shares sink by 12.3% despite reporting quarterly results that beat expectations, as investors fretted about its future profitability in the age of AI. Similarly, AppLovin (APP), a mobile technology company, experienced a staggering 19.7% plunge in its stock price due to worries that AI could undercut its business, even as it posted strong quarterly profits.
The broader technology sell-off has impacted a wide range of software stocks. In contrast, some non-technology companies have shown resilience. McDonald's (MCD) rose 2.7% after reporting better-than-expected profits, and Walmart (WMT) also saw its shares rally.
In other corporate news, BridgeBio Pharma Inc. (BBIO) announced positive results from a late-stage study of its experimental drug for a form of dwarfism. On the other hand, investment research firm Zacks has added Kirby (KEX) and Mattel (MAT) to its "Strong Sell" list, citing downward revisions to their earnings estimates. As the market navigates these crosscurrents, the focus will remain on the interplay between technological disruption and macroeconomic data.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.