Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading Sentiment

Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.

The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.

NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings. 

Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results. 

However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.

Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low. 

The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses. 

U.S. Movers

Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results. 

The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago. 

The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%. 

Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.

Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.

China Markets Erased Early Gains On Thursday, HK Exchanges Reported Record Annual Profit

Benchmark indexes in mainland China and Hong Kong lost early gains amid persistent worries surrounding artificial infrastructure spending.

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index eased 0.2% amid weakening sentiment. 

Nvidia, the leading artificial intelligence chip developer, reported sharply higher-than-expected revenue and earnings in the quarter ending in January.

Revenue in the quarter jumped 73% to $68.1 billion, supporting the case that the elevated levels of AI infrastructure spending can be sustained for a while. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8% to 26,550.41, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.2% to 4,728.45. 

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing increased 0.1% to HK $412.60, and the company reported record annual profit for the second year in a row in 2025. 

Net income in 2025 jumped 36% to a record high of HK $17.8 billion from HK $13 billion a year ago, and earnings per share advanced to HK $14.05.

The exchange operator announced an interim dividend per share of HK $6.52, increasing the total annual dividend to HK $12.52 compared to HK $9.52 a year ago. 

The company maintained a payout ratio of 90% of earnings.    

China Markets Erased Early Gains On Thursday, HK Exchanges Reported Record

Benchmark indexes in mainland China and Hong Kong lost early gains amid persistent worries surrounding artificial infrastructure spending.

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index eased 0.2% amid weakening sentiment. 

Nvidia, the leading artificial intelligence chip developer, reported sharply higher-than-expected revenue and earnings in the quarter ending in January.

Revenue in the quarter jumped 73% to $68.1 billion, supporting the case that the elevated levels of AI infrastructure spending can be sustained for a while. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8% to 26,550.41, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.2% to 4,728.45. 

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing increased 0.1% to HK $412.60, and the company reported record annual profit for the second year in a row in 2025. 

Net income in 2025 jumped 36% to a record high of HK $17.8 billion from HK $13 billion a year ago, and earnings per share advanced to HK $14.05.

The exchange operator announced an interim dividend per share of HK $6.52, increasing the total annual dividend to HK $12.52 compared to HK $9.52 a year ago. 

The company maintained a payout ratio of 90% of earnings.    

U.S. Indexes Meandered Amid Improving Sentiment Ahead of Nvidia Earnings

Wall Street indexes extended gains for the second consecutive week amid receding fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruption across several industries. 

The S&P 500 Index increased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged higher by 0.3% as investors reviewed the sell-off in tech stocks over the last three weeks.

Stocks rebounded this week as investors overlooked unresolved trade policy issues and AI-related disruption fears dissipated. Bargain hunters stepped up buying the recently beaten-down software stocks. 

Despite a two-day rebound, in the year so far as of Tuesday's close, Service Now fell 33%, Salesforce decreased 30%, Oracle declined 35%, FactSet Research plunged 31%, and CoStar Group dropped 27%.

U.S. Movers

Workday Inc. dropped 9.2% to $117.69 after the workplace platform operator reported slightly lower-than-expected revenue in its latest quarter. 

Cava Group soared 11% to $75.40 after the Mediterranean restaurant chain operator reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and fiscal 2026 outlook. 

Lowe's Companies decreased 3.6% to $268.50 after the company's current quarter outlook was weaker than expected. 

The retailer estimated current fiscal year revenue to range between $92 billion and $94 billion, and diluted earnings per share to range between $12.25 and $12.75. 

CoStar Group dropped 4% to $47.20 after the real estate marketplace operator's first-quarter guidance fell short of market expectations. 

U.S. Indexes Meandered Amid Improving Sentiment Ahead of Nvidia Earnings

Wall Street indexes extended gains for the second consecutive week amid receding fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruption across several industries. 

The S&P 500 Index increased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged higher by 0.3% as investors reviewed the sell-off in tech stocks over the last three weeks.

Stocks rebounded this week as investors overlooked unresolved trade policy issues and AI-related disruption fears dissipated. Bargain hunters stepped up buying the recently beaten-down software stocks. 

Despite a two-day rebound, in the year so far as of Tuesday's close, Service Now fell 33%, Salesforce decreased 30%, Oracle declined 35%, FactSet Research plunged 31%, and CoStar Group dropped 27%.

U.S. Movers

Workday Inc. dropped 9.2% to $117.69 after the workplace platform operator reported slightly lower-than-expected revenue in its latest quarter. 

Cava Group soared 11% to $75.40 after the Mediterranean restaurant chain operator reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and fiscal 2026 outlook. 

Lowe's Companies decreased 3.6% to $268.50 after the company's current quarter outlook was weaker than expected. 

The retailer estimated current fiscal year revenue to range between $92 billion and $94 billion, and diluted earnings per share to range between $12.25 and $12.75. 

CoStar Group dropped 4% to $47.20 after the real estate marketplace operator's first-quarter guidance fell short of market expectations. 

Weakness In Yen Supports Japan's Indexes at New Record Highs

Benchmark indexes in Japan advanced and reached new record highs, and the Japanese yen weakened. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared more than 2%, the broader Topix Index gained 0.7%, and the yen weakened to 156.20 against the U.S. dollar. 

The rebound in tech stocks in overnight trading on Wall Street supported the rise in Japan's indexes, and the weakening yen contributed to the advance. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concerns over a potential rise in interest rates in a meeting last week with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda. 

Moreover, Takaichi nominated two academics, who favor a slower rise in interest rates, to the policy board, supporting the view that the central bank will take a cautious approach to additional rate increases. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 2.2% to 58,583.12, and the broader Topix Index added 0.7% to 3,843.16.  

Technology and AI-related stocks led gainers in Tokyo.

Advantest Corp. gained 7.5% to ¥28,615.0, Disco Corp. increased 5.8% to ¥80,000.0, and Tokyo Electron added 4.3% to ¥46,230.0.

Weakness In Yen Supports Japan's Indexes at New Record Highs

Benchmark indexes in Japan advanced and reached new record highs, and the Japanese yen weakened. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared more than 2%, the broader Topix Index gained 0.7%, and the yen weakened to 156.20 against the U.S. dollar. 

The rebound in tech stocks in overnight trading on Wall Street supported the rise in Japan's indexes, and the weakening yen contributed to the advance. 

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concerns over a potential rise in interest rates in a meeting last week with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda. 

Moreover, Takaichi nominated two academics, who favor a slower rise in interest rates, to the policy board, supporting the view that the central bank will take a cautious approach to additional rate increases. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 2.2% to 58,583.12, and the broader Topix Index added 0.7% to 3,843.16.  

Technology and AI-related stocks led gainers in Tokyo.

Advantest Corp. gained 7.5% to ¥28,615.0, Disco Corp. increased 5.8% to ¥80,000.0, and Tokyo Electron added 4.3% to ¥46,230.0.

China Indexes Rebounded Amid Easing AI Disruption Worries, HSBC Net Income Declined 7%

Benchmark indexes in China rebounded as worries surrounding artificial intelligence stocks eased. 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.7%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.9% as tech stocks led gainers. 

Market sentiment recovered amid easing worries surrounding AI disruption, and semiconductor and tech platform operators led gainers in Hong Kong and in Shanghai. 

Gold and silver traded higher amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran and sustained buying by central banks and retail investors in China and India. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

HSBC Holdings increased 3.1% to HK $139.50 and reported higher-than-expected annual profit in 2025. 

Net income decreased 7% to $22.92 billion from $32.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.21. 

The decline in profit was widely anticipated after the bank set aside $1.0 billion for restructuring charges to cover charges related to the Bernard Madoff scandal and bad debts linked to commercial real estate in Hong Kong.

The company announced a final dividend of 45 cents per share, totaling an annual payment of 75 cents compared to 87 cents a year ago. 

In January, HSBC finalized its purchase of its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank for $14 billion and announced its decision to suspend its stock repurchase program for three quarters.

China WED

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China WED

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

China Indexes Rebounded Amid Easing AI Disruption Worries, HSBC Net Income Declined 7%

Benchmark indexes in China rebounded as worries surrounding artificial intelligence stocks eased. 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.7%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.9% as tech stocks led gainers. 

Market sentiment recovered amid easing worries surrounding AI disruption, and semiconductor and tech platform operators led gainers in Hong Kong and in Shanghai. 

Gold and silver traded higher amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran and sustained buying by central banks and retail investors in China and India. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67. 

HSBC Holdings increased 3.1% to HK $139.50 and reported higher-than-expected annual profit in 2025. 

Net income decreased 7% to $22.92 billion from $32.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share eased to $1.21. 

The decline in profit was widely anticipated after the bank set aside $1.0 billion for restructuring charges to cover charges related to the Bernard Madoff scandal and bad debts linked to commercial real estate in Hong Kong.

The company announced a final dividend of 45 cents per share, totaling an annual payment of 75 cents compared to 87 cents a year ago. 

In January, HSBC finalized its purchase of its subsidiary Hang Seng Bank for $14 billion and announced its decision to suspend its stock repurchase program for three quarters.

China WED

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index advanced 0.7% to 26,781.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index rose 0.9% to 4,748.67.