Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq open higher amid easing investor concerns over AI; US Fed's minutes release in focus
US stock market today: The benchmark US stock market indices like the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite open higher on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, amid easing investor concerns over artificial intelligence (AI). The investors will also keep their focus on the US Fed’s minutes release, which is scheduled for later today.
NASDAQ Index, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Forecast – US Indices Looking to Continue Recovery
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Read MoreThe Ultimate AI Technology Stock to Buy With $1,000 Right Now
Qualcomm’s stock price has been upended for short-term reasons, setting up a long-term buying opportunity.
It has been a tough few weeks for plenty of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. And to be fair, some of them deserved their share price setbacks.
Not all of them, though. In several cases, investors have thrown the proverbial baby out with the bathwater.
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Read MoreStock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as AI worries recede, with Fed minutes ahead
Oil prices rose on Wednesday as traders priced in continued geopolitical risk and stringent sanctions after peace talks between Russia and Ukraine appeared to collapse after only two hours.
Futures on Brent crude (BZ=F), the international pricing benchmark, rose over 2% to trade around $69,
Read MoreWhy Forum Energy Technologies Stock Is Soaring Today
This energy stock is bullish about its prospects in 2026.
Poised to end the week on a positive note, shares of Forum Energy Technologies (FET +8.32%) are ripping higher today following the company, a provider of various goods to the energy industry,
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Read MoreThe Burst
72 Year Old American Diner with 40% Upside?
While the world focuses on AI, the leaders over at Denny’s are snapping up shares as part of a buyback scheme. The move is perplexing at first glance with sales decidedly flat for some time and no obvious catalyst to spark growth on the top line near-term.
So, what exactly are the Board of Directors and management seeing in the numbers that makes the restaurant chain worthy of investing in?
» Read more about: 72 Year Old American Diner with 40% Upside? »
Read MoreThe Ivy
1 Monthly Dividend Stock To Never Stop Adding?
There’s something powerful, almost addictive, about waking up to income you didn’t have to actively work for. Passive income gives you more bang for your investment buck up front, and if you’ve chosen wisely, income producers raise their payouts over time, feeding a cycle of reinvestment and compounding that accelerates your path to financial independence.
» Read more about: 1 Monthly Dividend Stock To Never Stop Adding? »
Read MoreThe Spotlight
1 Top Healthcare Firm Set To Pop
UnitedHealth Group, with a market capitalization of around $454 billion, is the largest health insurer in the United States, serving nearly 50 million Americans.
It benefits from unparalleled market presence and scale that grants it significant bargaining power, which in turn ensures lower costs and higher margins compared to its competitors.
Over the past decade,