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
