Global markets experienced a dynamic day on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as investor sentiment around artificial intelligence remained a key driver. Asian stocks generally climbed despite lingering concerns about AI investments and their potential impact on jobs. Meanwhile, US stock futures rose, and tech stocks rebounded as some initial worries about AI's immediate effects eased. However, the broader software industry has faced significant panic selling, losing over $1 trillion in market value due to fears that AI will disrupt traditional business models.
Several major tech companies saw notable movements. Nvidia shares were up 2.5%, and Amazon shares gained 1.5%, contributing to a broader tech rally on Wall Street. Microsoft, despite an 18% year-to-date dip linked to substantial AI infrastructure spending, reported a robust $81.3 billion in Q2 revenue, with its Intelligent Cloud segment showing solid growth. The company also made a significant commitment, pledging $50 billion by 2030 to bring AI capabilities to lower-income countries, aiming to bridge the growing digital divide.
DoorDash experienced a volatile trading day, initially seeing its stock fall 8% and erasing about $3 billion in market value due to investor concerns over aggressive AI and autonomous delivery spending. However, shares later surged 14% as investors grew more positive about the company's strategic AI investments, which focus on machine learning for demand prediction, route optimization, and integrating autonomous delivery robots. In India, Yotta Data Services announced plans to build a $2 billion AI computing hub utilizing Nvidia's latest Blackwell chips, further highlighting global AI infrastructure expansion. These developments underscore the complex and often contradictory market reactions to the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Global stock markets showed mixed reactions to AI, with Asian stocks climbing and US tech stocks rebounding despite underlying concerns about AI's impact and valuations.
- Nvidia and Amazon shares saw gains on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, leading a tech rebound on Wall Street.
- Microsoft pledged a $50 billion investment by 2030 to bring artificial intelligence to lower-income countries, addressing the AI divide.
- Microsoft reported $81.3 billion in Q2 revenue, demonstrating solid growth in its Intelligent Cloud segment despite significant AI infrastructure spending.
- DoorDash initially saw its market value drop by $3 billion due to investor concerns over aggressive AI spending but later surged 14% as confidence in its AI and autonomous delivery plans grew.
- India's Yotta Data Services announced plans to build a $2 billion artificial intelligence computing hub using Nvidia's latest Blackwell chips.
- The software industry experienced panic selling, losing over $1 trillion in market value due to fears of AI disrupting traditional business models.
- Cloudflare (NET) is viewed as a strong buying opportunity, with its fourth-quarter revenue growth driven by AI demand.
- CEOs anticipate major AI-driven changes to the workforce and potential market disruption.
- US Treasury bonds are reacting to hopes that AI will boost labor productivity, potentially influencing future interest rate decisions.
Asian Stocks Climb Oil Falls Amid AI Concerns
Asian stocks increased on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, even with ongoing concerns about artificial intelligence investments and its impact on jobs. Markets in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea were closed for Lunar New Year holidays. Oil prices fell after talks in Geneva on Tuesday where Iran's foreign minister announced an understanding with Washington on their nuclear dispute. Gold prices also dipped as the US dollar strengthened, while investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's January meeting for interest rate clues.
Asian Stocks Gain Oil Falls Amid AI Worries
Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, despite ongoing worries about artificial intelligence investments. Japan's Nikkei 225 index increased 0.93% to 57,090.14, and Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up 0.5%. Oil prices remained largely unchanged after falling on Tuesday, following talks in Geneva where Iran and the US reached an understanding on their nuclear dispute. The New Zealand dollar dropped after its central bank indicated that monetary policy would stay supportive for economic recovery. Investors are also awaiting the Federal Reserve's January meeting minutes for clues on future interest rates.
Asian Stocks Climb Oil Recovers Despite AI Fears
Asian stocks rose on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, despite ongoing concerns about artificial intelligence investments. Japan's Nikkei 225 index increased 1.4%, and Australia's S&P/ASX200 was up 0.5%. Oil prices recovered some losses after falling on Tuesday, following talks in Geneva where Iran and the US reached an understanding on their nuclear dispute. Gold and silver also bounced higher. The New Zealand dollar fell after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand kept interest rates at 2.25% and indicated policy would remain supportive.
US Stock Futures Rise Tech Stocks Rebound
US stock futures rose on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as concerns about artificial intelligence eased and tech stocks gained. The Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.2%, the S&P 500 advanced 0.9%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6%. Nvidia shares were up 2.5% and Amazon shares gained 1.5%. However, Palo Alto Networks shares fell 25% after giving weak guidance. Oil prices increased after Vice President JD Vance expressed doubts about US-Iran talks, while gold and silver futures rebounded.
DoorDash Stock Drops 8 Percent on AI Spending Fears
DoorDash stock fell 8% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following disappointing fourth-quarter 2025 results. Investors expressed concern over the company's aggressive spending on artificial intelligence and autonomous delivery technology. This selloff erased about $3 billion in market value, showing Wall Street's skepticism about whether these AI investments will lead to profits. Analysts are now rethinking their models, as the company faces pressure to justify its tech spending amid slowing order growth and profit margin issues.
DoorDash Stock Jumps 14 Percent After AI Fears Ease
DoorDash shares made a dramatic turnaround on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, surging 14% after initially falling due to a fourth-quarter earnings miss. Investors are now more positive about the delivery giant's aggressive plans for artificial intelligence and autonomous delivery technology. The company's AI investments focus on using machine learning to predict demand and optimize routes, along with integrating autonomous delivery robots. While revenue growth was softer, key operational metrics like order frequency and customer retention remained strong, convincing investors that the initial dip was a buying opportunity.
Software Stocks Face AI Panic Cloudflare Microsoft Offer Opportunity
The software industry is experiencing panic selling as investors worry that artificial intelligence will disrupt traditional business models, causing the sector to lose over $1 trillion in market value. Despite this, Cloudflare (NET) and Microsoft (MSFT) are seen as strong buying opportunities. Cloudflare's fourth-quarter results surpassed expectations, with revenue growth driven by AI demand, and the company forecasts strong 2026 sales. Microsoft, though down 18% year-to-date due to high AI infrastructure spending, reported $81.3 billion in Q2 revenue, showing solid growth in its Intelligent Cloud segment. Both companies are well-positioned to benefit from the AI era.
US Stocks Mixed as AI Worries Consumer Sentiment Weigh
US stocks showed mixed results on Tuesday as companies reported weakening consumer confidence. Investors are also continuing to re-evaluate how artificial intelligence will affect company earnings. This combination of AI concerns and lower consumer sentiment is weighing on the markets. Experts believe this negative market mood will need time to pass.
Asian Stocks Edge Up Amid Thin Trading AI Worries
Asian stocks saw slight increases on Wednesday during thin trading due to Lunar New Year holidays, which closed several major markets. Investors remained cautious, questioning if the artificial intelligence rally is outpacing actual company performance. The low trading volume likely made these small market movements seem larger. Japan also faces a concern, as its finance ministry estimates a 28% surge in annual bond issuance due to rising debt costs.
Bonds React to AI Hopes for Productivity Gains
US Treasury bonds are now influenced by the artificial intelligence boom, with speculation that AI could lead to a major labor productivity increase and thus interest rate cuts. Last week, US government bond yields fell, and Fed rate futures dipped below 3% for the first time in four months, suggesting more rate cuts are expected. This shift comes as markets consider a new Fed chair, Warsh, who may favor AI-driven productivity for rate cut decisions. However, Jason Thomas from Carlyle is skeptical, arguing that massive AI investments could actually raise real interest rates, similar to the late 1990s internet boom.
Microsoft Pledges $50 Billion to Bridge AI Divide
Microsoft announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, a $50 billion investment by 2030 to bring artificial intelligence to lower-income countries. This pledge was made at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, addressing concerns that AI could worsen the gap between rich and poor nations. Microsoft President Brad Smith and Chief Responsible AI Officer Natasha Crampton stressed the need for urgent action, noting that AI usage in developed countries is currently twice that of developing ones. The investment will help build essential data centers and expand internet access, aiming to use AI to boost economic growth in the Global South.
India's Yotta Builds $2 Billion AI Hub with Nvidia Chips
India's Yotta Data Services plans to build a $2 billion artificial intelligence computing hub using Nvidia's latest Blackwell chips. CEO Sunil Gupta announced this on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Yotta, an Nvidia partner, is also preparing for an initial public offering this year, aiming to raise up to $1.2 billion to fund its expansion. The new AI supercluster will be located in New Delhi, with additional capacity from its Mumbai facility, boosting India's growing AI efforts.
CEOs Predict Major AI Workforce Changes
Artificial intelligence is expected to bring significant changes to corporate America, with many CEOs predicting major shifts in the workforce. Josh Pantony, CEO of Boosted.ai, discussed concerns about AI-driven market disruption and its potential impact on white-collar jobs. The conversation also touched on whether AI can accurately predict the stock market. These discussions highlight the growing anticipation and apprehension surrounding AI's role in the future of work.
Wall Street Rises Tech Stocks Lead Gains
Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with tech giants like Nvidia and Amazon leading the gains after recent concerns about artificial intelligence. Earlier this month, AI-related stocks faced declines due to high valuations, but sentiment improved, bringing in buyers. The S&P 500 climbed 0.56%, the Nasdaq gained 0.78%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.26%. Despite a 25% drop for Palo Alto Networks after a weak forecast, eight of the 11 S&P 500 sectors saw increases, with energy leading the way.
Sources
- Asia stocks rise despite lingering AI worries, oil down after U.S.-Iran talks
- Asia stocks rise despite lingering AI worries, oil down after US-Iran talks
- Asia stocks rise despite lingering AI worries, oil tempers losses after US-Iran talks
- Stock Market Today: Stock Futures Rise as Tech Stocks Gain Ground Amid Easing AI Fears
- DoorDash Tumbles 8% as AI Spending Spooks Investors
- DoorDash Stock Surges 14% as AI Investment Fears Fade
- AI Panic Grips Software Stocks: 2 Stocks You Should Buy Anyway
- US stocks today: Wall Street swings as AI jitters, weak consumer sentiment weigh on markets - The Times of India
- Asia Stocks Rose On Thin Trading As AI Nerves Linger
- Bonds swept up in leap of faith on AI productivity
- Microsoft pledges $50 billion to tackle growing AI inequality
- India's Yotta to build $2 billion AI hub with Nvidia's Blackwell chips
- AI disruption looms over corporate America as CEOs predict major workforce shifts
- US stock futures trend higher as tech sentiment improves
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