18th February 2026 – Stocks mixed as markets searches for direction

In this morning's market call, the discussion revolves around the mixed performance of stocks following a long weekend in the US, the impact of economic data on rate expectations, and the ongoing challenges faced by technology stocks amid a broader market skepticism. The conversation also highlights specific company earnings, sector performances, and investment opportunities in the current market landscape.Takeaways• Stocks are mixed as investors await economic data.• The SaaSpocalypse is impacting software stocks significantly.• BHP is rebranding itself as a copper company.• There are potential investment opportunities amidst market skepticism.• Gold and silver prices are experiencing a downward trend.• Palo Alto's earnings report showed a weak outlook despite beating expectations.• Suncorp faced significant losses due to natural disasters.• Net wealth reported a half-year loss due to regulatory costs.• Market sentiment is cautious with earnings season being patchy.• Investors are looking for stable returns in a volatile market.