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MarketPulse

Alpha Intelligence
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
07:03 EST
Regime 🟢

Risk On

2-4 weeks barring macro shock

VIX crushed from 21.2 to 20.29 (-4.3%); All major indices green with SPX hitting new session highs at 6843; FTSE 100 making 52-week highs at 10556

75%
Confidence
^GSPC 6,843.22 +0.10%
^DJI 49,533.19 +0.07%
^IXIC 22,578.38 +0.14%
^RUT 2,646.59 -0.00%
^VIX 20.29 -4.29%
^FTSE 10,556.17 +0.79%
^N225 57,143.84 +1.02%
XLK 139.48 -0.06%
XLF 52.20 +1.06%
XLV 157.37 -0.19%
XLE 53.75 -1.10%
XLI 175.08 +0.52%

Alpha Ideas

Long AAPL above 264, targeting 280
high conviction weeks
Massive volume breakout above key resistance. AI narrative accelerating, iPhone cycle improving.
Entry
264.50 on any pullback or momentum continuation
Target
Target 280, stop 255
Sizing
3-5% position
Long XLF / Short XLP pair trade
high conviction months
Rate normalization cycle favors financials over defensives. Sector rotation in early innings.
Entry
Current levels - XLF 52.20, XLP 88.20
Target
XLF to 56, XLP to 84 (15% spread widening)
Sizing
2% net exposure
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Index Analysis

SP500 bullish

Strong momentum off lows, only 159 points from 52-week high of 7002. Volume confirms buying interest at 3.3B.

Support 6800, 6750
Resistance 6900, 7002
NASDAQ bullish

Leading with +0.14% gain, but still 1441 points below 52-week high. Room to run if tech leadership continues.

Support 22400, 22200
Resistance 23000, 24020
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Sector Rotation

Leadership: Financials (+1.06%), Real Estate (+1.01%), Industrials (+0.52%)

Laggards: Consumer Staples (-1.46%), Materials (-1.14%), Energy (-1.10%)

Signal: Classic risk-on rotation: cyclicals leading, defensives lagging. Money flowing into rate-sensitive sectors.

Long XLF / Short XLP

Rationale: Financials breaking higher while staples getting crushed. Interest rate normalization benefits banks.

Risk: Fed pivot or credit concerns could reverse this trade quickly

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Stock Signals

AAPL bullish

Explosive +3.17% move on 58M volume. Breaking above 260 resistance convincingly.

Catalyst: AI momentum, services growth, potential new product cycle

Risk/Reward: Still 24 points below 52-week high at 288. Risk/reward favors upside.

NVDA bullish

+1.20% with massive 160M volume shows institutional accumulation near 185 level.

Catalyst: AI infrastructure demand, data center expansion, gaming recovery

Risk/Reward: 27 points to 52-week high. Momentum accelerating off 182 support.

TSLA watch

-1.63% pullback on high volume could be healthy consolidation or start of larger decline.

Catalyst: Delivery numbers, FSD progress, energy business updates

Risk/Reward: Needs to hold 400 support or next stop is 350

Crypto Alpha

Bitcoin

BTC consolidating around 67800 after rejection from 68500. Need break above 70K for next leg up.

Ethereum

ETH showing relative strength +1.04% vs BTC weakness. 2100 resistance key level to watch.

Alt Rotation

DOGE +1.16% and HBAR +1.08% showing meme/utility rotation. Avoid the -30% losers like RIVER.

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Contrarian Corner

The Consensus vs. The Counter

Consensus View
Analyzing market consensus...
Contrarian Case
Building contrarian thesis...
Trigger to Watch
Identifying confirmation signals...
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Risk Radar

Risk Probability Impact Hedge
Fed policy error - raising rates into slowing economy MEDIUM 10-15% market correction, credit stress Long VIX calls, short duration bonds
Geopolitical escalation affecting energy/commodities MEDIUM Oil spike to $80+, risk-off rotation Energy stocks, gold, defensive sectors
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Weekly Watchlist

XLF
Watch for: Break above 53 on volume
Action: Add to financials exposure, target 56
NVDA
Watch for: Hold 180 support on any pullback
Action: Buy dips for momentum continuation to 200
SPY
Watch for: Break above 690 (7000 on SPX)
Action: Full risk-on, add cyclical exposure
VIX
Watch for: Break below 18
Action: Maximum risk-on positioning, fade any VIX spikes