Weekly Market Insights | Roller Coaster Week Leads Dow to Milestone
- Category: Blog
Stocks were mixed last week, with broad gains on Monday and Friday bookending midweek selling pressure as investors digested earnings results from more than 100 S&P 500 companies.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ended the week roughly where it started, slipping 0.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.84 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.50 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.49 percent.1,2
Dow 50,000
Stocks bounded out of the gate on Monday with the Dow leading a broad rise across all three major averages. Markets rose in anticipation of a big week for Q4 corporate reports.3
Market sentiment quickly changed on Tuesday as anxious investors appeared to rotate out of technology names and into cyclical areas of the economy more likely to rebound with an improving economy.
News on Wednesday that private-sector job growth slowed in January added to investor anxiety. Stocks fell again on Thursday, with the S&P 500 briefly going negative year-to-date.4,5
Then things turned around.
Stocks rebounded broadly on Friday as investors appeared to “buy the dip.” The Dow led, closing above the 50,000 level for the first time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed back above 23,000, while the S&P gained 2 percent. The latest University of Michigan survey showed consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in six months, helping buoy investor sentiment.6
Source: YCharts.com, February 7, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 2, to Friday, February 6. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.
Fed Watch: Jobs Data
The brief government shutdown that ended last week delayed several economic reports. The federal employment report for January, originally due out on February 6, has been delayed until Wednesday, February 11.
But payroll processor ADP reported on Wednesday that private employers added 22,000 jobs in January—about half of the 45,000 expected. Then, on Thursday, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that companies cut more than 108,000 jobs in January—the highest number of layoffs of any January since 2009.7,8
Investors tried to reconcile the reports with the Fed’s January post-meeting statement, which read, “Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.”9
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic and Fed governors Christopher Waller and Stephen Miran speak.
Tuesday: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Retail Sales* (Dec). Import Prices* (Dec). Employment Cost Index (Q4). Business Inventories* (Nov). Fed Presidents Beth Hammack (Cleveland) and Lorie Logan (Dallas) speak.
Wednesday: Employment Report. Federal Budget.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Existing Home Sales (Jan). Fed governor Miran speaks.
Friday: Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Source: Investors Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar; February 6, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Tuesday: The Coca-Cola Company (KO), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Welltower Inc. (WELL), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), Spotify Technology (SPOT)
Wednesday: Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), Shopify Inc. (SHOP), AppLovin Corporation (APP)
Thursday: Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT), Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX), Brookfield Corporation (BN)
Source: Zacks, February 6, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.
"Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen."
– John Steinbeck
Taking a Side Gig? Here’s How It May Affect Your Taxes
Taxpayers who work in the gig economy may benefit from having a better understanding of how their work affects their taxes.
People involved in the gig economy earn income as freelancers, independent workers, or employees. They use technology to provide goods or services, including renting out a home or spare bedroom and giving car rides.
Here are some things taxpayers should know about the gig economy and taxes:
- Money earned through this work may be taxable
- There are tax implications for both the company providing the platform and the individual performing the services
This income may be taxable even if the indivudual taxpayer doesn't receive a Form 1099-MISC, Form 1099-K, or Form W-2. This income may also be taxable if the activity is only part-time, side work, or if you’re paid in cash.
This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov10
Show Your Heart Some Love
While age, genetics, and family history are risk factors related to heart disease, some lifestyle factors are associated with better heart health. Discuss any medical concerns with your healthcare provider before beginning any diet or fitness regimen. The following information is not a substitute for medical advice:
- Manage your blood pressure: Check it regularly. Hypertension is often asymptomatic
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of disease
- Eat well and exercise: These two activities are associated with a lower incidence of heart disease
- Drink less alcohol and don’t smoke: These habits are seen more frequently in heart disease patients
- Sleep well and reduce stress: Lower cortisol levels may reduce your risk for heart disease
While not all risk factors are controllable, some are. The list above is not comprehensive. Give your heart some love, and talk to your doctor about the best ways to care for it.
Tip adapted from MedlinePlus.gov11
It can be less thick than your finger when it folds, yet as thick as what it carries when it holds. What is it?
Last Week's Riddle: Note this sequence: B, C, D, E, G. What letter should then follow as the sixth letter in this series?
Answer: P, the next rhyming letter in the sequence.
Giant Panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)
Wolong National Nature Reserve, China
Footnotes And Sources
1. WSJ.com, February 6, 2026
2. Investing.com, February 6, 2026
3. CNBC.com, February 2, 2026
4. CNBC.com, February 4, 2026
5. CNBC.com, February 5, 2026
6. WSJ.com, February 6, 2026
7. CNBC.com, February 4, 2026
8. CNBC.com, February 5, 2026
9. CNBC.com, January 28, 2026
10. IRS.gov, July 8, 2025
11. MedlinePlus.gov, August 26, 2025
