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ISM Manufacturing PMI Holds at 52.4% in February, But Input Price Surge Raises Fed Rate-Cut Doubts

The Institute for Supply Management reported that U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the second consecutive month in February, with the PMI reading at 52.4 percent, but the report's input prices sub-index soared at its fastest pace since 2022, reinforcing investor concerns that renewed inflationary pressures — now compounded by surging oil prices from the Iran conflict — could lead the Federal Reserve to delay or abandon interest rate cuts in the months ahead.

Stocks Rally With Futures Higher After State of the Union and Trade Policy Headlines

U.S. stock futures climbed modestly on February 25, 2026, as markets digested the State of the Union address and braced for key earnings from Nvidia and others. Traders reacted positively to pro-economic rhetoric and confirmed global tariff levels, while optimism in chip and software names supported futures gains. Amid this backdrop, investors took selective positions in tech and industrial ETFs, balancing trade uncertainty with earnings anticipation.

21Shares Spot SUI ETF to Begin Trading on Nasdaq, Expanding U.S. Access to Sui

21Shares announced that its spot SUI ETF will begin trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday, providing U.S. investors with regulated access to the Sui blockchain’s native token. The listing represents a significant expansion of digital asset investment options within the regulated ETF ecosystem, reflecting broader institutional interest in crypto infrastructure and blockchain-related investment vehicles.

Binance Revives Tokenized U.S. Stock Trading Through Ondo Finance Partnership

Binance has reintroduced trading in select tokenized U.S. equities through a partnership with Ondo Finance, offering crypto traders access to fractionalized versions of traditional stocks and ETFs. The move underscores growing convergence between digital asset platforms and traditional financial markets, despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny in key jurisdictions.

U.S. Business Activity Growth Slows Significantly in February, Signals Economic Softening

New data from S&P Global shows that U.S. business activity expanded at the slowest pace in nearly a year in February, reflecting reduced manufacturing orders and slower services growth. While the economy remains in expansion territory, the slowdown could weigh on sentiment and corporate investment plans if the trend persists, particularly in cyclical sectors tied to industrial production and hiring.

Wall Street Braces for Friday's GDP and PCE 'Data Deluge' — A Potential Inflection Point for 2026 Markets

Investors are positioning defensively ahead of Friday's simultaneous release of the Q4 2025 advance GDP estimate and December PCE inflation data — a rare consolidation of two pivotal economic reports that analysts are calling the 'ultimate reality check' for the 2026 outlook, with consensus projecting 2.8% annualized GDP growth and core PCE inflation of 2.8% year-over-year, either of which could dramatically reprice rate expectations across equity, bond, and currency markets.

Walmart Fourth Quarter Earnings Tomorrow to Provide Critical Read on U.S. Consumer Resilience

Walmart will report fiscal fourth quarter 2026 results before market open Thursday, with analysts forecasting adjusted EPS of $0.73 and revenue between $188.6-$190.5 billion. The report represents a pivotal test for the $1 trillion retailer following a 43-day government shutdown and carries outsized importance as a barometer of American consumer health amid a K-shaped recovery that has seen Walmart capture 75% of market share gains from households earning over $100,000.

Soft Inflation Data Adds to Rate Cut Considerations

New inflation figures showed smaller-than-expected CPI increases in January, reinforcing expectations for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts in coming months. While markets reacted modestly, rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and financials could see renewed interest if cut timing becomes clearer.

Rivian Soars 26% on Aggressive 2026 Delivery Forecast as R2 SUV Launch Approaches

Rivian Automotive shares rocketed 26.6% on Friday after the electric vehicle maker projected 2026 deliveries of 62,000 to 67,000 vehicles—representing 47% to 59% growth over 2025—and confirmed its mass-market R2 SUV remains on track for second quarter customer deliveries. The rally erased concerns about the company's path to profitability and validated CEO RJ Scaringe's characterization of 2026 as "an inflection point" for the business.