New York, Jan 10, 2026, 10:54 EST — The market has closed.
- Palantir shares edged higher on Friday following a volatile kick-off to 2026
- A report revealed the U.S. Small Business Administration inked a fraud-prevention pilot deal with the company
- Tuesday’s CPI report will be the key macro event for software stocks sensitive to rate moves
Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. edged up 0.3% Friday, closing at $177.49, on reports of renewed federal interest in the company’s data-analytics software.
Timing is crucial. Palantir stands out as one of the most closely tracked “AI” software stocks, but traders are quick to dismiss headlines that don’t lead to larger, repeatable contracts.
The market is sitting near record highs, on edge ahead of inflation data and the kickoff of earnings season—a combination that could swiftly shake up high-growth tech valuations.
The Small Business Administration inked a $300,000 deal with Palantir this week for an “SBA Fraud Prevention Pilot and Bootcamp,” set to wrap up by April 4, according to federal spending records. SBA spokesperson Maggie Clemmons told reporters the agency is “expanding our investigations nationwide” as part of its “zero-tolerance policy on fraud,” the report said. (FedScoop)
In a separate move, Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest offloaded 58,741 shares of Palantir, trimming its holding to 376,629 shares, according to Barron’s. (Barron’s)
Investors enter the week with corporate earnings picking up and inflation figures on the horizon, Reuters reported, after U.S. stocks kicked off 2026 on a strong note despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. “On balance for this year, the foundation for the market is solid,” Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management, told Reuters.
Tuesday brings the U.S. Consumer Price Index report for December 2025, set for release at 8:30 a.m. ET, per the Labor Department’s schedule. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Palantir is trading below its 50-day moving average, which tracks the average closing price over the last 50 sessions and serves as a key trend indicator for many traders. Barchart lists that level at about $180.34. The 200-day moving average is close to $153.20. (Barchart)
Still, the SBA work is limited in dollar size, and sentiment can quickly shift on one data point: a hotter-than-expected CPI report, a spike in yields, or any hint that new government projects are isolated rather than part of a consistent stream.
Palantir’s next earnings report is penciled in for Feb. 2, after the market closes, according to Wall Street Horizon. However, the exact timing remains unconfirmed. (Wall Street Horizon)
