Finance
Trading Day: Wall Street ends modestly lower while US-Iran tensions boost crude prices
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2026
4 min readLast updated: February 19, 2026
Quick Summary
U.S. stocks slipped as mixed data and U.S.-Iran tensions boosted crude. Financials and tech lagged, while energy and utilities rose. The dollar firmed and Treasury yields were mixed.
(Refiles to fix typo in headline)
By Stephen Culp
NEW YORK, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Wall Street stocks followed the example of their European counterparts by posting modest losses on Thursday as mixed economic data and simmering tensions between the U.S. and Iran kept uncertainties - and crude prices - high.
The U.S. goods trade balance hit its widest on record, while a bigger-than-expected drop in initial jobless claims provided some reassurance regarding the health of the labor market.
I will go into more detail on today's market moves below. If you have more time to read, here are a few articles I recommend to help you make sense of what happened in markets today.
I'd love to hear from you, so please reach out to me with comments at stephen.culp@thomsonreuters.com.
Today's Key Market Moves
* STOCKS: U.S. shares slip as Nvidia drops and privateequity stocks sink. * SECTORS/SHARES: Financials and tech are down mostamong the 11 major S&P sectors, while utilities and energy leadthe gainers. Elsewhere, aerospace/defense shares outperform thebroader market, while travel-related airlines andhotels/restaurants/cruise lines post steep declines. * FX: The dollar advances as data implies economicstability * BONDS: U.S. Treasury yields are mixed as investorsassess probable Fed policy, and the Treasury sells $9 billion ininflation-linked 30-year debt. * COMMODITIES/METALS: Gold advances as traders weighgeopolitical strife against solid economic data.Today's Key Reads
1. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde tellscolleagues she remains focused on her job, hinting that she hasno plans to leave her post early, contrary to Wednesday's reportby the Financial Times. 2. China sees an opening to turn U.S. President DonaldTrump's tariffs to its own advantage by reshaping global trade,and insulate its economy from U.S. pressure well into thefuture. 3. Sources say Netflix has ample room to increase its offerin the battle over Warner Bros. 4. A South Korean court has sentenced former President YoonSuk Yeol to life in prison after finding him guilty ofmasterminding an insurrection related to his attempt to imposemartial law in December 2024.Today's Talking Points
* U.S. trade deficit balloons on surging imports
December's goods trade shortfall is the widest ever recorded, despite Trump's tariffs levied against the U.S. trading partners.
* Trump presses Iran to make "meaningful deal"
Warning that "bad things" will happen if Iran fails to reach a deal over its nuclear program, Trump appeared to set a 10-day deadline before the United States takes action.
* Fed's Kashkari calls recent comments from White House economic advisor Hassett an attack on Fed independence
Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said Kevin Hassett's call for New York Fed officials to "be disciplined" for recent research on tariffs represented the Trump administration's latest move to undermine the central bank's independence.
* The "Board of Peace" convenes for its first meeting
Trump announced that various nations had contributed $7 billion to a Gaza reconstruction fund that aims to rebuild the enclave once Hamas disarms.
What could move markets tomorrow?
* United States Personal Consumption Expenditures (December) * United States Advance Q4 GDP * United States Flash PMI (February) * United States Consumer Sentiment (February) * United States new home sales (December) * Canada Producer Prices (January) * Canada retail sales (December) * UK retail sales (January) * UK flash PMI (February) * Germany Producer Prices (January) * France Flash PMI (February) * India Flash PMI (February) * U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President RaphaelBostic due to participate in economic outlook discussion * The U.S. Supreme Court could rule on the legality ofTrump's tariffs
Opinions expressed are those of the author. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.
(By Stephen Culp; Editing by Nia Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •U.S. equities ended modestly lower alongside Europe amid mixed data and geopolitical risks.
- •Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions lifted crude prices, aiding energy and utilities.
- •Initial jobless claims fell more than expected while the goods trade gap widened to a record.
- •Financials and tech lagged; defense names outperformed as travel-related shares slid.
- •Dollar strengthened, Treasury yields were mixed, and gold advanced on safe‑haven demand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trading Day: Wall Street ends modestly lower while US-Iran tensions boost crude prices
1What is the main topic?
U.S. stocks ended modestly lower as mixed economic data and rising U.S.-Iran tensions pushed crude prices higher, shaping sector performance and cross‑asset moves.
2Which sectors led and lagged?
Energy and utilities outperformed on firmer crude, while financials and technology led declines. Defense shares outpaced the broader market; travel‑related stocks fell.
3How did economic data factor in?
A larger‑than‑expected drop in jobless claims supported the labor picture, but a record goods trade gap underscored growth headwinds, leaving Treasury yields mixed and the dollar firmer.
4What should investors watch next?
Upcoming U.S. data including PCE, GDP, PMIs, consumer sentiment, and new home sales, plus any developments in U.S.-Iran relations and Fed commentary that could sway risk appetite.
