Stock Market Today Updates: US stocks began the month of February with a cautious tone, falling into the red across the board as investors reassessed risk. Despite solid earnings performance across sectors, rising bond yields and Fed warnings dampened sentiment. A staggering $1.2 trillion in market value was wiped out intraday, underscoring how easily market confidence can be shaken when inflation and interest rates are in focus.
U.S. Market Snapshot (1 February, 2026)
|
Index |
Close |
Change |
% Change |
|
Dow Jones |
49,400.14 |
-7.52 |
-0.02% |
|
Nasdaq Composite |
23,353.77 |
-238.00 |
-1.01% |
|
S&P 500 |
6,942.34 |
-34.12 |
-0.49% |
|
NYSE Composite |
19,820.65 |
-112.40 |
-0.56% |
Why Nasdaq Fell More Than the Dow and S&P 500 Today
The Nasdaq continued to slide, hurt by its large exposure to fast-growing tech stocks. The stock prices of such companies remain delicate due to changes in interest rates with the 10-year yield of Treasury bonds stuck above 4.3%, investors revalued the present worth of future profits. Even companies with healthy balance sheets could not resist the pressure of shrinking multiples.
Dow Jones
The Dow was actually stronger than expected, falling only about 7 points and it was its diversified portfolio that did the heavy lifting, with industrials, healthcare and consumer staples all contributing to the cushioning effect. Merck and PepsiCo both gained more than 3%, offsetting weakness in other sectors. Overall, the Dow’s performance indicates that sometimes it is composition that takes precedence over the news of the day.
Nasdaq
The Nasdaq Composite was hit the hardest where NVIDIA fell by a little over 2%, but the racing declines were much more severe for the high-flying tech stocks and PayPal plummeted by almost 18% to further exacerbate the pain. Volatility in the Nasdaq has jumped by a substantial 22% from the previous month, reflecting just how quickly sentiment can shift in a crowded trade.
S&P 500
The S&P 500 edged lower by 0.49%, led by technology and communication services with more than 100 constituents reporting earnings this week, the market has become more sensitive to small misses. However, the 2026 year-to-date performance remains strong, indicating a phase of consolidation rather than a correction.
NYSE
The NYSE Composite fell by more than 0.5%, with selling extending beyond the technology sector. Financials and small-cap stocks were again under pressure, but the lower trading volume indicated that institutions were holding back rather than running for the exits in a panic.
Fed Signals & Inflation Fears Reshaped Risk Appetite
The most influential news was Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin’s statements, which moved markets more than any other news and he stated that inflation has some ground to cover, which reduced hopes of sharp rate cuts. Now, traders do not expect the next cut until June. Higher yields increase discount rates, which affect growth stocks more and make investors rethink their asset allocation strategy.
Gold & Silver Surge as Investors Rotate Into Safety
As the stock market moved lower, investors turned decisively to hard assets. Spot gold surged 6.18% to $4,939.90, while silver rose 13.25% to $87.21. Inflows into precious metals are up about 30% year to date, reflecting the continued demand for inflation protection. Bitcoin, however, fell to a ten-month low, indicating a reduced appetite for risk-on assets.
Today’s Top Gainer
- Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
- Up 5.1% to $155.36
- Strong earnings and raised 2026 guidance
- Backed by expanding U.S. government AI contracts
- Intel rose 1.23% to $49.41 with 28 million shares traded
- Sofi Technologies edged up 0.43% to $22.18 as dip buyers stepped in after recent volatility
Today’s Top Loser
- PayPal (PYPL)
- Down 18.0% to $42.90
- Weak forward guidance spooked investors
- Heavy volume signaled institutional exits
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Massimo Group collapsed 59.18% to $1.29, reflecting extreme volatility with thin liquidity and the stock now sits near the bottom of its $1.23–$5.59 52-week range.
-
FuboTV fell 25.10% to $1.70 as speculative stocks were hit hardest in the broader market pullback.
-
NVIDIA slid 2.36% to $181.23, shedding momentum despite strong long-term AI optimism.
-
Pfizer declined 3.69% to $25.68, tracking weakness across defensive healthcare names.
FAQ’s
Why did PayPal (PYPL) stock crash over 17%?
PayPal shares slid nearly 18% to $43 after the company missed both earnings and revenue estimates in Q4 2025 and issued cautious 2026 guidance, flagging flat transaction margins and low single-digit EPS growth that unsettled investors about its competitive position.
What Powered Palantir (PLTR) Against the Broader Market Decline?
Palantir shares rose 5.09 percent to $155.28, briefly crossing $160 intraday, after the company posted a standout quarter with revenue of $1.41 billion, marking 70 percent year-on-year growth and reinforcing confidence in its AI-driven expansion.
How Far Can Gold and Silver Rally After Today’s Breakout?
Gold climbed 6.18 percent to $4,939.90 and silver surged 13.25 percent to $87.21, with Bank of America projecting gold above $6,000 in 12–18 months and key support seen at $4,440 for gold and $65 for silver.
Why are gold and silver outperforming stocks?
Higher yields and inflation uncertainty have renewed demand for safe-haven assets.
What should investors watch next?
Upcoming inflation data and further Fed commentary will likely dictate near-term direction.
