New York, Feb 9, 2026, 13:42 EST — Regular session
- Dow dips a bit after hitting its first close above 50,000 on Friday, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq climb as tech stocks bounce back.
- Investors are on edge, waiting for the postponed U.S. jobs figures and Friday’s CPI inflation release—both with the potential to move rate-cut expectations.
- Nvidia’s upcoming results are still in the spotlight, with investors watching Big Tech’s AI spending plans closely.
Monday saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average slip 15 points, or 0.03%, to 50,100.54 in early afternoon action, with traders eyeing a heavy slate of U.S. data and fresh highs. The S&P 500 moved up 0.53% and the Nasdaq climbed 0.98%. 1
The blue-chip index just wrapped up a milestone run, but the focus has shifted—investors are now searching for rate guidance. All eyes are turning to the delayed January nonfarm payrolls report expected Wednesday, plus January’s Consumer Price Index due Friday. Add in a host of Fed speakers. The key question: is inflation coming off quickly enough to set the stage for cuts? Anna Rathbun, founder and CEO of Grenadilla Advisory, flagged investor jitters around Big Tech’s AI spending plans. She described the combined $650 billion outlay as “an eye-popping number.” 2
The Dow powered higher by 1,206.95 points on Friday, a 2.47% gain, closing at 50,115.67—marking its debut above the 50,000 threshold. Industrial names like Caterpillar and financial giant Goldman Sachs did the heavy lifting, as investors shifted out of packed tech positions. “What’s driven it recently has been the broadening,” said Chuck Carlson, chief executive at Horizon Investment Services. 3
The mood was mixed Monday. Software and chip stocks caught a lift, nudging both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq higher. The Dow, though, barely budged—defensives and health care names held it back.
The AI bill remains a point of contention among investors. Large tech firms have signaled yet another jump in capital spending, earmarking more funds for data centers, chips, and infrastructure. Traders, though, want more concrete signs of returns.
Health care names weighed on the Dow in early trade. Amgen and Merck, in particular, knocked about 79 points off the index, according to MarketWatch data. Those two stood out as top laggards in the opening stretch. 4
Rates barely budged, but other markets saw more action. Gold climbed roughly 1.9% and silver surged 7.5%, The Associated Press said, with bitcoin sitting just shy of $71,000 as traders hung tight for the next macro move. 5
Here’s the risk: a stronger-than-expected payrolls print or stubborn CPI might kick yields higher, dealing a blow to rate-cut optimism just as stocks hover near record highs. In that scenario, the Dow breaking past 50,000 could end up stalling instead of gaining momentum.
Markets now turn to a slate of Fed commentary throughout the day. Wednesday brings the payrolls numbers, Friday delivers the CPI. Nvidia’s results, out later this month, remain the big test for how much steam is left in the AI trade.
