New York, Jan 23, 2026, 10:50 (EST) — Regular session
Palantir Technologies Inc shares climbed 1.7% to $168.79 in early trading on Friday, hitting a session high of $169.20. Roughly 8.6 million shares traded hands, with the stock last seen $2.89 above its previous close.
The drop in U.S. stocks was triggered by a sharp fall in chipmaker Intel and renewed geopolitical tensions, prompting investors to stay cautious. “Guidance now is more critical than ever,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities, noting that the upcoming Fed statement is also under scrutiny. 1
This week is packed, sparking a tug-of-war: the Federal Reserve meets, while megacap tech firms roll out earnings. Investors want to see AI investments translate into profits. “At the end of the day, earnings are the driver,” said Chris Galipeau, senior market strategist at Franklin Templeton. 2
Palantir has been added to a new retail-focused exchange-traded fund launched by Defiance ETFs and Futurum Equities — an ETF trades like a stock. The Defiance Retail Kings ETF’s debut portfolio features Palantir alongside Micron and Robinhood. Defiance CIO Sylvia Jablonski commented, “These are companies that we think will be around for the next decade or two decades.” 3
Analyst focus has provided an added boost. On Jan. 22, Phillip Securities kicked off coverage of Palantir with a buy rating, according to Fintel. 4
Palantir is gearing up to release its fourth-quarter and full-year results on Monday, Feb. 2, right after the U.S. markets shut. The company plans a webcast at 5 p.m. ET to discuss the numbers. 5
Palantir continues to target investors with its software designed for large institutions that must consolidate data rapidly and respond in real time, spanning both government and commercial sectors. In its IPO prospectus, the company highlights Gotham and Foundry as its main platforms. 6
Palantir ramped up its presence in heavy industry earlier this week, securing an enterprise-wide contract with South Korea’s HD Hyundai. A source close to the deal put its value at hundreds of millions over multiple years. CEO Alex Karp described the Korean market as “very bullish” in comments to Reuters. 7
High-growth software stocks face a looming threat if interest rates hold steady at elevated levels or if political interference rattles the Fed’s decision-making, shaking risk appetite. A Reuters poll found every economist surveyed expects the Fed to keep rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% during the Jan. 27-28 meeting. Nomura’s Jeremy Schwartz added the central bank should “remain on hold.” 8
All eyes turn to the Fed’s Jan. 27-28 meeting, where any change in tone could grab attention. The next rate decision is set for the end of that two-day session. For Palantir shareholders, Feb. 2 after market close is the real moment, as the company releases earnings and updates its guidance. 9
