Stocks Recover on Strength in Apple and Airline Stocks

S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average close higher, while Nasdaq 100 falls

Feb. 19, 2026 at 3:15pm

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The S&P 500 Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher on Tuesday, recovering from early losses, while the Nasdaq 100 Index fell. The market was lifted by a jump in Apple shares after the company announced a product launch, as well as a rally in airline stocks. However, concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on various sectors weighed on software stocks.

Why it matters

The mixed performance of the major stock indexes reflects the ongoing uncertainty in the market, with investors weighing the potential benefits of new technologies like AI against the risks of disruption to various industries. The strength in Apple and airline stocks suggests that investors are still finding opportunities in specific sectors, even as broader market sentiment remains cautious.

The details

The S&P 500 Index closed up 0.10%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.07%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index closed down 0.13%. Apple jumped more than 3% after announcing a product launch on March 4 and plans to unveil several new devices in the coming weeks. Airline stocks also rallied, with Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Air Group all closing higher. However, software stocks fell amid concerns that AI could disrupt many sectors, including finance, logistics, and trucking.

  • The S&P 500 Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed higher on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • Apple announced a product launch on March 4, 2026 and plans to unveil several new devices in the coming weeks.

The players

S&P 500 Index

A stock market index that tracks the performance of 500 large-cap U.S. companies.

Dow Jones Industrial Average

A stock market index that tracks 30 large-cap U.S. companies.

Nasdaq 100 Index

A stock market index that tracks 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Apple

A multinational technology company that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline that provides passenger and cargo air transportation services.

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What they’re saying

“Based on current conditions and data in hand, it will likely be appropriate to hold interest rates steady for some time as we assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.”

— Michael Barr, Fed Governor (Barchart)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The market's focus this week will be on corporate earnings results and economic news, including the release of the minutes from the January FOMC meeting.

The takeaway

The mixed performance of the major stock indexes reflects the ongoing uncertainty in the market, as investors weigh the potential benefits of new technologies like AI against the risks of disruption to various industries. The strength in Apple and airline stocks suggests that investors are still finding opportunities in specific sectors, even as broader market sentiment remains cautious.