Wednesday, February 11, 2026
U.S. stocks finished narrowly mixed on Wednesday after a strong jobs report lifted early trading, then cooled rate-cut hopes.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged higher, while the Dow slipped slightly as Treasury yields firmed.
Small caps lagged, and investors shifted focus to inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s next moves.
(STL.News) U.S. Stocks – U.S. stock markets chopped around for much of Wednesday before settling into a muted close, as traders tried to balance two competing narratives: a labor market that still looks sturdy, and a Federal Reserve that may feel less urgency to cut rates in the near term. Early gains faded as the session progressed, leaving the major indexes near the flatline by the final bell.
Market close: index levels and daily moves
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: 50,169.46 (-20.08, -0.04%)
- S&P 500: 6,955.04 (+12.50, +0.18%)
- Nasdaq Composite: 23,124.33 (+21.86, +0.10%)
- Russell 2000 (small caps): 2,668.63 (-11.14, -0.42%)
- VIX (volatility index): 17.59 (-0.20, -1.12%)
U.S. Stocks – What moved the market today
U.S. Stocks: Investors came into the session focused on fresh labor-market signals. Stronger hiring and a still-low unemployment rate initially supported stock prices, reinforcing the idea that the economy remains resilient. But as the trading day developed, the market’s tone shifted. If growth is holding up, the thinking goes, the Fed has less reason to rush into rate cuts—especially with inflation still the key variable.
That push-pull showed up in sector performance as well: areas tied more closely to economic activity held up better at times, while rate-sensitive pockets of the market faced renewed pressure. Small-cap stocks, often more sensitive to financing conditions, underperformed the large-cap benchmarks.
U.S. Stocks – What investors are watching next
U.S. Stocks: With the jobs report now in the rearview mirror, traders are turning their attention to upcoming inflation readings and Fed messaging. The market’s next decisive move likely depends on whether price data confirms a cooling trend—or forces policymakers to keep rates restrictive longer than investors currently prefer.
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