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MarketPulse

Alpha Intelligence
Monday, February 23, 2026
07:04 EST
Regime 🟢

Risk On

2-4 weeks, until next major catalyst or earnings season

S&P 500 +0.69% and within 1.3% of 52-week highs at 6909.51; NASDAQ leading with +0.90% surge to 22,886; VIX collapsed -5.64% to 19.09, showing complacency

75%
Confidence
^GSPC 6,909.51 +0.69%
^DJI 49,625.97 +0.47%
^IXIC 22,886.07 +0.90%
^RUT 2,663.78 -0.05%
^VIX 19.09 -5.64%
^FTSE 10,686.89 +0.56%
^N225 56,825.70 -1.12%
XLK 140.88 +0.48%
XLF 52.49 +0.65%
XLV 156.82 -0.28%
XLE 54.88 -0.54%
XLI 177.23 +0.50%

Alpha Ideas

Long GOOGL momentum breakout
high conviction weeks
4% surge on 53M volume breaks $315 resistance - AI narrative accelerating into earnings season
Entry
Current levels $315-320 or pullback to $310
Target
Target $340-350 (8-11% upside), stop $300 (5% risk)
Sizing
2-3% portfolio position
Long XLC/Short XLE pair trade
high conviction weeks to months
Maximum sector momentum divergence - communication services breaking highs while energy at lows
Entry
Long XLC at $116.80, Short XLE at $54.88
Target
Target 10% outperformance, stop if spread reverses 5%
Sizing
Equal dollar weights, 2% each side
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Index Analysis

SP500 bullish

Breaking above 6900 with conviction, only 1.3% from all-time highs - momentum favors upside test of 7000+

Support 6800, 6750
Resistance 7002, 7100
NASDAQ bullish

Leading the charge at +0.90%, but still 4.7% below highs - has room to run if tech continues

Support 22400, 22000
Resistance 24020, 24500
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Sector Rotation

Leadership: Communication Services (+1.44%), Consumer Discretionary (+1.04%), Technology (+0.48%)

Laggards: Energy (-0.54%), Healthcare (-0.28%), Materials (+0.25% but weak)

Signal: Classic risk-on rotation into growth/discretionary, out of defensives and commodities

Long XLC (Communication Services) / Short XLE (Energy)

Rationale: XLC breaking to new highs while XLE near 52-week lows - momentum divergence is extreme

Risk: Energy reversal if oil spikes or geopolitical tensions

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Stock Signals

GOOGL bullish

Explosive +4.01% move on massive volume (53M shares), breaking above $315 resistance

Catalyst: AI momentum and possible earnings revision cycle beginning

Risk/Reward: Strong - targeting $340-350, stop below $300

AMZN bullish

+2.56% breakout above $210, heavy volume at 66M shares confirms institutional accumulation

Catalyst: AWS growth acceleration and retail margin expansion

Risk/Reward: Excellent - 18% below 52-week highs, targeting $230-240

ORCL bearish

Brutal -5.40% collapse from $156 to $148, breaking key support on heavy volume

Catalyst: Likely earnings disappointment or guidance cut - avoid until stabilizes

Risk/Reward: Poor - could test $140 or lower

Crypto Alpha

Bitcoin

BTC at $65,770 down -3.27% but holding above $65k support - neutral until break above $70k or below $60k

Ethereum

ETH weaker at $1,880, down -4.80% - underperforming BTC suggests alt weakness continues

Alt Rotation

Avoid alts until BTC stabilizes - too much downside momentum in ETH and majors

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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
VIX spike above 25 LOW 5-8% equity correction within days Long VIX calls or short QQQ puts as portfolio insurance
Russell 2000 breakdown below 2600 MEDIUM Signals broader market weakness - small caps leading down Reduce small cap exposure, focus on large cap momentum
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Weekly Watchlist

AAPL
Watch for: Break above $270 on volume
Action: Buy breakout targeting $280-285
META
Watch for: Hold above $650 support
Action: Add on strength if maintains momentum
NVDA
Watch for: Volume expansion above $195
Action: Chase momentum toward $210 highs
XLF
Watch for: Break above $53 resistance
Action: Play financial sector rotation with 2% position
VIX
Watch for: Any spike above 22-23
Action: Reduce risk, tighten stops on momentum positions