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In Thursday’s pre-market update, stock index futures are lower, with the NASDAQ leading the decline and Walmart weighing on the Dow. Bitcoin is down, gold remains on a sell signal, and crude oil is up modestly. Wednesday saw U.S. markets trade higher into resistance channels while volatility declined.

Energy stocks dominated performance, especially in Canada where multiple large-cap names hit new highs. Technology showed selective strength, including NVIDIA testing resistance, while several major stocks and ETFs continue to hold existing trend signals. Overall, markets remain technically steady despite short-term fluctuations.

Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, February 19, 2026

Stephen Whiteside’s February 18th market outlook highlights mixed pre-market strength in equities and commodities alongside continued weakness in Bitcoin. The VIX is not following normal seasonal patterns and may expand into March, suggesting increased volatility ahead. The S&P 500 is holding support at the 100-day moving average, while the Nasdaq has broken lower toward its 200-day, signaling broader technical deterioration in growth stocks.

Commodities such as copper, gold, silver, and crude oil are under pressure, though energy stocks remain relatively strong. Bitcoin remains in a confirmed downtrend, with potential risk toward $50,000 if recent lows break. Bear ETFs continue to outperform, and crypto-related equities could see short-covering bounces. Technology-focused ARC ETFs remain out of favor, with most still on sell signals.

Stephen Whiteside
Wednesday, February 18, 2026

In Tuesday’s morning market outlook, Stephen Whiteside reviews pre-market conditions showing mild weakness in stock index futures and gold, strength in crude oil, and a flat open for Bitcoin. He explains how average true range helps investors judge whether pre-market moves are meaningful or simply normal volatility. The Nasdaq 100 has triggered a new weekly sell signal and is now negative for 2026 after closing below its lower channel line, with continued weakness in software stocks pressuring both U.S. and Canadian tech. Meanwhile, bonds are strengthening as the S&P 500 shows signs of divergence versus its equal-weighted version, and volatility indexes continue trending higher.

Sector performance highlights defensive strength in utilities and materials, while communication services lag. Financials remain under pressure due to broker dealers and insurance stocks rather than banks. Key individual names discussed include NVIDIA, Amazon, Apple, and Enbridge. In Canada, the TSX-60 and broader ETFs bounced off support but remain vulnerable to sell signals if recent lows break. Overall, the tone remains cautious, with rising volatility and weakening leadership suggesting increased downside risk.

Stephen Whiteside
Tuesday, February 17, 2026

In this Friday market update ahead of a three-day long weekend, Stephen Whiteside reviews weakening pre-market conditions despite the historically bullish setup. Stock index futures, crude oil, and Bitcoin are trading lower, while gold is slightly higher. On the weekly charts, the VIX remains on a buy signal for a second week, indicating longer-term bearish pressure. The Dow has pulled back modestly, transports failed to break above 20,000 due to sharp declines in select stocks, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are testing key lower channel support levels.

Daily charts confirm growing downside momentum, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Russell 2000, microcaps, and banking sector all back on sell signals. Several notable stocks posted sharp declines, and multiple commodity ETFs are weakening, including crude oil and gasoline. Gold is attempting to hold support, while silver and other metals remain under pressure. Bitcoin and Ethereum are also trending lower. Despite the seasonal expectation of strength, current technical signals suggest caution heading into the long weekend.

Stephen Whiteside

Friday, February 13, 2026

Stephen Whiteside reviews Thursday’s pre-market action, noting stock index futures and Bitcoin trading above fair value while gold and crude oil are lower. Energy stocks in both Toronto and New York hit upside price targets, while metals remain in holding patterns with gold, silver, and platinum still lacking confirmed breakouts. Bitcoin and Ethereum show minor pre-market strength, but no trend changes are expected. Meanwhile, the VIX remains elevated even as the Dow makes new highs, signaling continued concern among options traders.

In Canada, Shopify caused major volatility, reversing sharply after testing resistance, impacting the TSX and technology ETFs. Financials pulled back but remain above key levels. In the U.S., major indices continue struggling with significant resistance levels—S&P 500 near 7,000, Nasdaq near 617, and Dow Transports at 20,000. Several high-profile stocks including NVIDIA and Amazon remain stuck at key psychological levels. Elevated volatility persists, with traders cautious despite attempts at upward momentum.

Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, February 12, 2026

In Wednesday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside reports stock index futures and commodities trading above fair value, with gold and crude oil higher while Bitcoin trades lower. Despite elevated fear index readings across the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000, major indices continue forming higher highs and higher lows. The Dow reached a new all-time high, though the broader market focus remains on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, which are still on sell signals. Upcoming job numbers could shift early market direction.

In sector action, Bitcoin-related stocks show mixed interest, while gold has generated a buy signal and silver may follow. Energy and financial stocks are helping lead the market, with the TSX expected to hit new highs supported by strength in Shopify, gold, and crude oil. U.S. markets show strength in the Dow and equal-weighted indices, while real estate and homebuilders were standout performers. Investors are advised to watch trend signals closely as market timing remains crucial.

Stephen Whiteside

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

In Tuesday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside reviews relatively quiet futures activity, with gold holding above $5,000, Bitcoin pulling back near $68,000, and mixed action across precious metals. He outlines key technical levels for gold, silver, platinum, crude oil, natural gas, and energy stocks, highlighting buy signals in GDX, B2Gold, crude oil, U.S. energy stocks, and parts of the Canadian market. He also discusses resistance levels in the Dow near 50,000, transports near 20,000, and ongoing strength in financials and select resource stocks.

Whiteside also breaks down sector leaders and most actively traded stocks in Toronto and New York, including Barrick, Suncor, Transocean, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Shopify. He reviews the VIX, notes renewed buy signals in the S&P 500 and Canadian ETFs, and emphasizes watching key breakout levels across major indices. The presentation reinforces trend-following principles and disciplined stock market timing strategies.

Stephen Whiteside
Tuesday, February 10, 2026

In Monday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside notes stock index futures trading below fair value, Bitcoin falling under $70,000, and gold pushing back above $5,000. While the Dow surged to the 50,000 milestone for the first time—boosted by an 8% rally in NVIDIA and strong gains in Caterpillar, 3M, and Amgen—the S&P 500 and Nasdaq failed to generate new buy signals. Much of Friday’s sharp rally appeared to be driven by short covering rather than fresh institutional buying.

Despite bullish closes above the previous day’s highs for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, key indexes remain below recent highs and within prior trading ranges. The VIX pulled back but remains elevated, signaling continued options market concern. Strength in transports and energy stocks has helped support the broader market, while most Magnificent Seven stocks showed limited follow-through outside of NVIDIA. Traders are watching key technical levels closely for potential breakout signals.

Stephen Whiteside
Monday, February 9, 2026

In Friday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside reviews weekly charts and highlights major market moves. Bitcoin is the big story, down over 24% on the week after briefly falling near $60,000, while gold is up sharply but still struggling to hold above $5,000. Silver, crude oil, and natural gas are lower, with natural gas down nearly 20%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are under pressure, with the Nasdaq nearing a weekly sell signal, while the Dow and equal-weighted S&P remain relatively resilient. The VIX has surged nearly 25% but has not yet reached major resistance levels.

Sector-wise, software, small caps, microcaps, and Bitcoin-related stocks have been hit hard, while financials and bank stocks are holding up. Energy stocks continue to show strength despite weaker commodity prices. Canadian markets are experiencing an inside week, with gold stocks under pressure and technology stocks showing limited institutional interest. The overall tone suggests selective strength, growing volatility, and increasing downside risk in key growth sectors.

Stephen Whiteside

Friday, February 6, 2026

In Thursday’s pre-market update, Stephen Whiteside reports that stock index futures, commodities, and Bitcoin are trading lower, with Bitcoin breaking below the $70,000 level after failing to hold support at $75,000. Volatility increased sharply, with the VIX rising for the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell indices. While most S&P 500 stocks were up, weakness in large-cap software and semiconductor stocks—including AMD, Micron, Lam Research, and AppLovin—continued to pressure major indexes. The Nasdaq 100 is testing key support near its December and November lows, raising the possibility of a retest of January lows.

Energy stocks led gains in the U.S., while copper miners and several tech names saw significant declines. In Canada, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples showed strength, with select stocks moving back onto buy signals, while mining and crypto-related names struggled. Gold remains below key resistance, silver faces overhead pressure, and bear ETFs continue to rise as markets trend lower. The presentation emphasizes watching major round-number support levels and respecting prevailing trends.

Stephen Whiteside
Thursday, February 5, 2026