February 17, 2026 2:10pm EST
President Trump is optimistic about the Dow reaching $100,000 during his presidency. What would that require?
From 18 minutes ago
Stock market forecasts have gained significant attention.
Recently, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit $50,000 for the first time, prompting a bold prediction from President Donald Trump. He stated that he anticipates the index will double to $100,000 by January 2029, crediting his policies for this upward trend.
But is such a figure even feasible? Experts suggest that this would challenge historical patterns. Even under optimistic scenarios, many think hitting $100,000 in just three years would be ambitious.
Jeremiah Buckley, a portfolio manager at Janus Henderson, expressed cautious optimism regarding future market performance, suggesting that a target of $60,000 to $70,000 within three years seems more plausible. He mentioned that reaching $100,000 within that timeframe could be quite difficult.
It took the Dow about eight years to climb from $25,000 to $50,000. Historical averages indicate it may take about a decade for the index to reach $100,000, as per data from State Street Investment Management. Current estimates suggest it might range from five to ten years.
To achieve such heights, significant earnings growth is necessary. According to Buckley, the companies within the index would need to exhibit around 25% year-over-year growth in earnings. State Street estimates that in 2026, the Dow’s earnings per share will be around $2,357, which represents a 10% annual growth rate from 2023.
Buckley pointed out that even with exceptional earnings growth, reaching $100,000 would require “a significant amount of expansion.” He noted that the current price-to-earnings ratio is about 30, marking a historically elevated level reminiscent of the late 1990s.
February 17, 2026 1:20pm EST
Norwegian Cruise Line’s stock surges as activist investors push for major changes.
From 1 hour 8 minutes ago
Norwegian Cruise Line saw its stock price rise sharply as activist investors called for significant changes in the company.
The shares of Norwegian (NCLH) climbed over 11% following Elliott Investment Management’s announcement of a stake exceeding 10% in the company.
Elliott has reached out to the board with proposals for a restructuring aimed at enhancing both guest experience and profitability.
In a letter, Elliot conveyed concerns, stating the company’s trajectory has shifted from a leading cruise operator at its IPO to a struggling entity facing inconsistent strategies and poor execution over the last decade.
Despite the recent uptick in stock value, Norwegian Cruise Line’s shares have dropped by nearly 10% over the past year, faring poorly compared to competitors like Carnival (CCL) and Royal Caribbean (RCL), which saw their shares rise approximately 25% in the same timeframe.
A company representative mentioned that under the new CEO John Chissey, Norwegian aims to restore value for investors and will elaborate during the earnings report on March 2.
Chissey’s leadership comes after replacing Harry Sommer, but Elliott raised doubts about Chissey’s experience in the cruise industry.
Elliott is ready to appeal directly to shareholders at the next annual meeting, suggesting that proposed changes could help the company’s stock return to pre-pandemic levels of around $56, which is more than double the current closing price.
February 17, 2026 12:17 PM EST
Processed food stocks drop as General Mills lowers its 2026 outlook amidst challenging consumer conditions.
From 2 hours 11 minutes ago
General Mills (GIS) shares plunged over 7% after the company slashed its full-year sales and profit forecasts, attributing it to a “difficult” consumer climate.
The food giant anticipates organic net sales to decline between 1.5% and 2% this year, a sharp contrast from its earlier prediction which expected sales growth of up to 1%. Additionally, adjusted earnings per share are now expected to drop by 16% to 20%, exceeding previous estimates of a 10% to 15% decline.
In a press release, the company mentioned that a mix of weakening consumer sentiment, increased uncertainty, and volatility is affecting growth and altering purchasing habits, leading to slower recovery in volume and higher costs than expected.
General Mills wasn’t alone in facing challenges, as shares of other packaged food firms like Campbell’s (CPB), Mondelez International (MDLZ), and Kraft Heinz (KHC) all fell by over 4% recently.
CEO Jeff Harmening commented on the ongoing inflation, cuts to SNAP benefits, and geopolitical factors causing significant stress for consumers, especially those in lower and middle-income brackets. Consequently, shoppers are leaning towards sales rather than full-priced items.
In recent times, lower-income consumers have been severely impacted by rising living costs, while higher-income individuals, benefiting from robust stock market performance, have had a less distressing experience. A recent University of Michigan survey highlighted a nearly 20-point difference in sentiment between those lacking stock investments and those with substantial stock holdings.
February 17, 2026, 11:11 a.m. ET
Investors voice concerns over escalating AI expenditures.
From 3 hours 17 minutes ago
Professionals in the investment realm are increasingly worried about the escalating costs of AI.
A recent survey from Bank of America revealed that 35% of fund managers feel their firms are “overinvested,” marking a record high from December’s 14%.
This year, major tech firms are anticipated to spend upwards of $600 billion on infrastructure, largely fueled by AI development and operations. Investors are becoming apprehensive that if AI demand doesn’t deliver as expected, the return on investment might fall short.
This unease has cast a shadow over the stock market for several months, particularly affecting tech giants like Microsoft (MSFT) and Amazon (AMZN).
On Tuesday, tech stocks faced additional pressure, with most leading companies seeing declines. Software stocks continued their downward trend this year, driven by concerns surrounding potential disruptions caused by AI. The iShares Expanded High-Tech Software Sector ETF (IGV) has dropped nearly 25% since the year began.
Investors caution that excessive spending on AI could pose risks not only for tech giants but for the market as a whole. Approximately 30% of those surveyed suggested that overinvestment in AI could trigger systemic credit issues—second only to private equity concerns. Moreover, a quarter of respondents pointed to the AI bubble as posing the biggest threat to the stock market.
February 17, 2026 9:58 AM EST
Market outlook for the week ahead.
From 4 hours 30 minutes ago
This coming week will see key retail earnings and inflation data, particularly in a holiday-shortened week.
PCE inflation rate and 4th quarter GDP data release
On Friday, the PCE report will offer insights into December’s inflation, a crucial metric closely watched by the Federal Reserve, possibly affecting their decisions on interest rates. The minutes from the Fed’s January meeting may also shed light on the officials’ economic perspectives.
Thursday will bring the first glimpse of economic growth for the fourth quarter, following last quarter’s strong performance with a reported growth rate of 4.4%.
This week also anticipates releases on new home sales and housing starts for November and December, alongside pending January home sales which could signal trends in the housing market. Expect two reports on U.S. international trade, as well as December’s durable goods orders, providing further insights into manufacturing health.
Walmart’s first report under new CEO and 13F filings
Walmart is set to unveil its initial financial results under new CEO John Furner, who recently led the company to achieve a $1 trillion market cap. Previous reports highlighted a 4.2% increase in comparable sales, prompting raised full-year sales forecasts.
Additionally, quarterly 13F filings revealing the holdings and trades of major investors like Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) are expected, reflecting changes made during the fourth quarter, marking what could be some of the last moves managed under Warren Buffett’s leadership.
Find a complete calendar of corporate and economic events for the week here.
February 17, 2026, 9:06 a.m. ET
Stock futures decline as tech stocks struggle.
From 5 hours 22 minutes ago
Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped by 0.2% in premarket trading on Tuesday.
S&P 500 futures dropped by 0.4%.
Meanwhile, Nasdaq 100 futures fell close to 0.9%.
