11th February 2026 – Soft Retail Sales spook growth investors as Jobs numbers loom

In this morning's market call, Mark discusses the mixed performance of the US markets, highlighting the impact of soft retail sales on growth investors. He provides insights into the upcoming employment data and the significance of focusing on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq over the Dow. The conversation shifts to the earnings reports of CSL and CBA, analyzing their performance and market reactions. Mark concludes with investment strategies and opportunities in the current market environment, emphasizing the importance of timely updates and recommendations for investors.Takeaways• Soft retail sales numbers spooked growth investors.• Economic softness is not a good reason to buy stocks.• CSL is repeatedly getting belted on the same news.• It's a good buying opportunity for CSL.• ETFs are killing off the fund managers.• Double digit per annum returns are possible.• Get your recommendations for less than a coffee a day.• Make decisions when the market opens.• Financial press focuses on the wrong indices.• Expect volatility in lithium, uranium, Bitcoin.