The Pentagon is expected to release a list of defense contractors facing restrictions on stock buybacks and dividend payments by Friday, Feb 12, 2026, under President Trump’s Jan. 7 executive order linking shareholder payouts to weapons delivery schedules.

The order, titled “Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting,” designates contractors underperforming on contracts, production capacity, or U.S. government prioritization for review. Companies named must submit 15-day remediation plans; failure to meet Pentagon standards could result in contract terminations.

The five largest defense firms — Lockheed Martin (LMT), Northrop Grumman (NOC), General Dynamics (GD), L3Harris (LHX), and Raytheon Technologies (RTX) — paid $8 billion in dividends and repurchased about $10 billion in shares over the past 12 months, per Morgan Stanley data.

The order also bars affected contractors from regulatory safe harbors for stock repurchases and ties future executive compensation to on-time delivery, not earnings metrics.

U.S. stock indices surged on Friday, February 6, 2026, as technology shares led a recovery and Bitcoin paused its decline. The S&P 500 gained 2% for its best day since May, closing at 6,932.30; the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.5% to 50,115.67, topping 50,000 for the first time; and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.2% to 23,031.21. The Russell 2000 climbed 3.6% to 2,670.34.

Key drivers included strong AI spending outlooks and improved consumer sentiment. For the week: S&P 500 -0.1%, Dow +2.5%, Nasdaq -1.8%, Russell 2000 +2.2%. Year-to-date: S&P 500 +1.3%, Dow +4.3%, Nasdaq -0.9%, Russell 2000 +7.6%. Bitcoin briefly surpassed $70,000.

As of February 6, 2026, 59% of S&P 500 companies have released fourth-quarter results, with FactSet data showing analysts expect a 13% rise in earnings per share for the quarter. If realized, this would mark the 10th consecutive quarter of annual earnings growth for the index and the fifth straight quarter of double-digit gains, down from an expected 8.3% increase this quarter.

Expectations have risen, especially for technology firms, amid ongoing AI investment and continued themes of artificial intelligence, trade policy shifts under the Trump administration, and a K-shaped consumer economy. Additional reports are scheduled from Coca-Cola (KO), Spotify (SPOT), Robinhood (HOOD), Lyft (LYFT), Ford (F), Rivian (RIVN), Moderna (MRNA), Airbnb (ABNB), and Coinbase (COIN) in the week ahead.

Justin Bieber’s purchase of Bored Ape #3001 for 500 ETH, roughly $1.3 million, in January 2, 2022, has seen the NFT fall to about $12,000 as of February 6, 2026, amid a protracted NFT winter. The floor price of the Bored Ape Yacht Club peaked at $429,000 in April 2022, but has since declined sharply.Comparable collections have also lost ground: CryptoPunks trade at about $60,000 in ETH and Pudgy Penguins at $8,850.

Bieber’s acquisition of a “floor” Ape—characterized by average visual attributes—was criticized at the time. If sold now, a 99% loss is likely. Nifty Gateway, a leading NFT platform, is scheduled to shut down in February 2026, with Myriad prediction markets indicating a low chance of major collections rebounding to prior price levels by July.

Yuga Labs, owner of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, is advancing a real-life Miami clubhouse and Otherside, a multiplayer metaverse game featuring Bored Ape avatars.

Once Upon a Farm PBC, the organic kids’ snacks maker co-founded by Jennifer Garner, surged 17% in its NYSE debut on February 6, 2026, after raising $197.9 million in an IPO. Shares closed at $21.05, reaching as high as $22, and the company’s market value reached $847 million on the number of outstanding shares. The offering of about 11 million shares (7.6 million offered by the company, 3.4 million by selling shareholders) was oversubscribed, with pricing in the $17–$19 range.

The company, based in Berkeley, California, makes organic, no-sugar-added pouches of fruit and vegetable puree, bars, frozen meals, and smoothie packets. It filed in September 2024, but the protracted government shutdown led to a delay until 2026.

Financials for the nine months ended September 30, 2024: net loss of $39.8 million on revenue of $176.7 million; gross margin 40% (vs. 42% in the same period of 2024). Proceeds are earmarked for debt repayment, equipment purchases, and a spokesperson agreement. The IPO was led by Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America, and William Blair.

Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SCNY) reported Q4 cargo revenue of $48 million, a 68% year-over-year increase, driven by eight additional freighter aircraft added under its Amazon transportation service agreement. The carrier’s cargo fleet of 12 Boeing 737-800 freighters will expand to 22 in mid-2026 with two new Amazon-supplied planes, improving reliability for its North America hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The new operations base at the airport, scheduled to open this month, is expected to enhance efficiency.

Full-year cargo revenue rose 44.6% to $155 million. Sun Country’s total revenue reached $281 million, up 7.9% YoY, and its 14th consecutive profitable quarter, though net income fell 39.4% to $8.1 million. The sale to Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, with a closing expected in the second half of 2026.

Affirm (AFRM) CEO Max Levchin said the narrative of a “demise” of the American consumer is “greatly exaggerated,” citing strong repayment curves and a 36% YoY rise in gross merchandise volume (GMV) in Q2. He attributed the resilience to proprietary AI underwriting and a 96% repeat transaction rate, with 96% of transactions coming from existing users.

However, broader sentiment indicators like the University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment rose to 57.3 in February but remain 20% below peaks, signaling inflationary and labor concerns. Following the report, AFRM shares fell nearly 7% on Friday.

Guidance for Q3 and Q4 GMV growth of 30% and 25%, respectively, tempered upbeat expectations, with Citi analyst Bryan Keane maintaining a Buy rating at $100, citing strong active merchant growth of 42% YoY and ongoing private credit market strength.

Private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, through partnership with Cambium Capital, is leading a Series E funding of over $350 million in AI chip startup SambaNova Systems, sources said. Intel Corp is expected to invest about $100 million, with potential commitments of up to $150 million, as the oversubscribed round seeks to strengthen its position in AI inference chips amid competition with Nvidia Corp.

The investment follows stalled acquisition talks valued at about $1.6 billion and comes as Vista, which typically invests in enterprise software, makes a rare foray into hardware. SambaNova, valued at $5 billion in 2021, has shifted focus to AI inference and cloud services, recently crossing its fiscal year sales target. Final terms and valuation are pending completion of the fundraising.

Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE:RGA) reported Q4 CY2025 revenue of $6.79 billion, up 23.6% year-on-year, and non-GAAP earnings of $7.75 per share, 34.8% ahead of analyst expectations. Management attributed the outperformance to favorable in-force actions, strong variable investment income, and the integration of recently acquired businesses, including the Equitable transaction. The U.S. segment delivered aligned mortality, while EMEA and Asia-Pacific saw volume growth and product development.

Looking ahead, RGA maintains an intermediate-term 8%–10% EPS growth target, emphasizing disciplined capital allocation, balance sheet optimization, and growth in Asia-Pacific and EMEA. The company trades at $226.64, up from $205.99, as improved group business and repricing are expected to drive further earnings momentum.

Envista Holdings (NYSE:NVST) posted Q4 CY2025 results exceeding expectations, with revenue up 15% YoY to $750.6 million and non-GAAP profit of $0.38 per share, 17.7% above consensus. The strong performance reflects broad-based gains, expanded clinical training (30% more customers trained), and $100 million in revenue from new products introduced in the last 12 months. Management reduced G&A expenses, supporting margin expansion.

Looking ahead, Envista plans continued R&D investment and new product launches, targeting higher R&D growth than top-line expansion. Guidance reflects cautious oversight of macro volatility and China-related policy risks, with a focus on improving Spark’s profitability and free cash flow.

Envista (NASDAQ:$28.40) rose from $24.71 following the report. Key watchpoints include the commercial impact of new product launches and execution of margin initiatives.

Monolithic Power Systems (NASDAQ:MPWR) rose 5.1% in afternoon trading after reporting Q4 revenue of $751.2M, up 20.8% YoY, and adjusted EPS of $4.79 that beat estimates. The company guided to $780M midpoint for Q1 2026, 5.7% above consensus, despite higher inventory, reflecting confidence in demand. The stock is volatile, with 28 moves exceeding 5% over the past year, and is up 30.2% YTD, reaching a new 52-week high at $1,219.

Positive macro tailwinds continued from ASML’s €32.7B 2025 sales and €9.6B net income, including “blowout orders” and an upbeat 2026 forecast, signaling robust advanced chip demand. Management at MPWR expects 30%–40% growth in enterprise data for 2026.

Flowserve (NYSE:FLS) reported Q4 CY2025 revenue of $1.24B, up 4.6% YoY, and non-GAAP EPS of $1.11, 18.4% above consensus. The strong aftermarket segment and expansion in power and nuclear markets outperformed, while original equipment sales were temporarily delayed by customer and material timing.

Management credited a diversified portfolio and operational improvements, with CEO Robert Rowe and CFO Amy Schwetz forecasting continued aftermarket strength, margin expansion from higher sales and 80/20 portfolio refinement, and accelerating original equipment activity in H2CY2026. The company trades at $85.40, up from $78.98 pre-earnings.

Key watchpoints include backlog conversion to revenue, sustainability of aftermarket growth, and effective integration of Trillium Valves.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 50,000 for the first time on February 6, 2026, rising over 1,100 points. The surge followed a rebound in consumer confidence and improved economic outlooks. The gain reflected strengthening retail sales and a narrowing employment gap, as measured by recent surveys. The broader S&P 500 and Nasdaq also posted gains, reflecting investor optimism about corporate earnings and policy stability.

Coty (NYSE:COTY) reported Q4 CY2025 results exceeding revenue expectations, with sales flat year-on-year at $1.68B and non-GAAP profit of $0.14/share, 24.2% below consensus. The market reacted negatively as management cited SKU proliferation, promotional intensity, and operational inefficiency in Consumer and Prestige Beauty, driving declines in iconic brands to the low to mid-single digits.

Looking ahead, Coty plans portfolio rationalization, improved innovation discipline, and focused investment in digital and new channels to restore sell-out and market share. CEO Markus Strobel emphasized execution and demand alignment, with recovery expected to be gradual and contingent on top-line improvement and gross margin stabilization.

<note>Date reference: February 6, 2026</note>

Terradot (TDO.T) announced the acquisition of Eion, a competitor in carbon removal, effective February 6, 2026. The move follows significant backing from institutional and strategic investors including sovereign wealth funds seeking large-scale, distributive operations. Both companies employ enhanced rock weathering to absorb CO2 by spreading pulverized minerals on farmland.

Terradot, based in California with operations in Brazil using basalt, has a broad investor base including Gigascale Capital, Google, Kleiner Perkins, and Microsoft. Eion, based in the U.S. using olivine, is supported by AgFunder, Mercator Partners, and Overture. The EWR technology remains scalable but faces pricing gaps identified in a CDR.fyi survey.

Per Scholas, a national nonprofit offering free tech upskilling, reported 80% of graduates secure full-time roles within one year. The organization runs 12–15 courses—software engineering, cybersecurity, IT support, and AI—delivering 9 a.m.–4 p.m. instruction plus homework, with a focus on AI tools and local job placements. Courses enroll adults aged 12+ from diverse backgrounds, including 85% people of color and 40% women, many with no college degrees. Learners’ incomes rise from $20,085 to $54,606 on average, and those who complete upskilling earn about 32% more. With demand for tech talent surging—60% of tech leaders plan to add headcount in 2026—Per Scholas bridges the skills gap by collaborating with employers including Comcast, Bank of America, and CGI.

DOJ documents reveal Jeffrey Epstein invested $3 million in Coinbase’s 2015 Series C round, less than 1% of its then-$400 million valuation. The investment later sold for $15 million in 2018. Epstein also invested in Blockstream in 2014, though the size of his stake was not disclosed. Brock Pierce, a Crypto Currency Partners managing partner who later rebranded as Blockchain Capital, facilitated introductions and advised Epstein on crypto opportunities in the early 2010s. Coinbase and Blockstream have not been linked to any wrongdoing with Epstein, and the venture firm stated Epstein was never an investor in any Blockchain Capital fund. The Coinbase stake was part of a broader network of ties to the evolving crypto industry before and after Epstein’s 2019 federal prison suicide.

On February 6, 2026, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 for the first time in history, reversing a mid-week tech sector selloff. The index gained 1,090 points, or 2.2%, while the S&P 500 rose 1.7% and the Nasdaq climbed 1.8%. The rally reflected broader market strength and positive macro conditions. President Donald Trump tweeted祝贺, calling it a historic milestone.

Bitfarms, now trading as Keel Infrastructure (KEEL), announced a strategic pivot from Bitcoin mining to building HPC/AI data center infrastructure in the U.S. The company expects to complete its redomiciliation to the Nasdaq by April 1, pending shareholder approval at a vote on March 20. Shares of BITF jumped 27% on the announcement, recently changing hands around $2.17, as publicly traded miners like Riot Platforms, MARA Holdings, and CleanSpark also shift toward AI and data center partnerships with tech giants such as Google.

The move seeks to diversify revenue streams amid a volatile Bitcoin price, which fell to as low as $60,255 and is down 16% in the last week, more than 44% from its all-time high of $126,800.

Gold and silver futures trade higher on NYMEX as Asian equities rise and U.S. dollar weakness eases supply-side pressure on precious metals.

Gold futures (GL1) closed at $2,345.80 per ounce, up 0.7%, while silver futures (SI1) ended at $30.85 per pound, up 1.2%.

The Shanghai Composite and other Asian indices advanced on the same day, contributing to heightened investor risk appetite. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index fell to 102.30, providing tailwinds for commodities priced in dollars.