Roller Coaster Week Leads Dow to Milestone

Stocks bounded out of the gate on Monday with the Dow leading a broad rise across all three major averages. Markets rose in anticipation of a big week for Q4 corporate reports.³

Market sentiment quickly changed on Tuesday as anxious investors appeared to rotate out of technology names and into cyclical areas of the economy more likely to rebound with an improving economy. 

News on Wednesday that private-sector job growth slowed in January added to investor anxiety. Stocks fell again on Thursday, with the S&P 500 briefly going negative year-to-date.^4,5

Then things turned around. 

Stocks rebounded broadly on Friday as investors appeared to “buy the dip.” The Dow led, closing above the 50,000 level for the first time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed back above 23,000, while the S&P gained 2 percent. The latest University of Michigan survey showed consumer sentiment rose to its highest level in six months, helping buoy investor sentiment.⁶

Source: YCharts.com, February 7, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 2, to Friday, February 6. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.

The brief government shutdown that ended last week delayed several economic reports. The federal employment report for January, originally due out on February 6, has been delayed until Wednesday, February 11.

But payroll processor ADP reported on Wednesday that private employers added 22,000 jobs in January—about half of the 45,000 expected. Then, on Thursday, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that companies cut more than 108,000 jobs in January—the highest number of layoffs of any January since 2009.^7,8

Investors tried to reconcile the reports with the Fed’s January post-meeting statement, which read, “Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been expanding at a solid pace. Job gains have remained low, and the unemployment rate has shown some signs of stabilization. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.”⁹

Monday: Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic and Fed governors Christopher Waller and Stephen Miran speak.

Tuesday: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Retail Sales* (Dec). Import Prices* (Dec). Employment Cost Index (Q4). Business Inventories* (Nov). Fed Presidents Beth Hammack (Cleveland) and Lorie Logan (Dallas) speak.

Wednesday: Employment Report. Federal Budget.

Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Existing Home Sales (Jan). Fed governor Miran speaks.

Friday: Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; February 6, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.

uesday: The Coca-Cola Company (KO), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Welltower Inc. (WELL), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), Spotify Technology (SPOT)

Wednesday: Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), Shopify Inc. (SHOP), AppLovin Corporation (APP)

Thursday: Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT), Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX), Brookfield Corporation (BN)

Source: Zacks, February 6, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.

Taking a Side Gig? Here’s How It May Affect Your Taxes

Taxpayers who work in the gig economy may benefit from having a better understanding of how their work affects their taxes.

People involved in the gig economy earn income as freelancers, independent workers, or employees. They use technology to provide goods or services, including renting out a home or spare bedroom and giving car rides.

Here are some things taxpayers should know about the gig economy and taxes:

• Money earned through this work may be taxable
• There are tax implications for both the company providing the platform and the individual performing the services

This income may be taxable even if the indivudual taxpayer doesn’t receive a Form 1099-MISC, Form 1099-K, or Form W-2. This income may also be taxable if the activity is only part-time, side work, or if you’re paid in cash.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov¹⁰

Show Your Heart Some Love

While age, genetics, and family history are risk factors related to heart disease, some lifestyle factors are associated with better heart health. Discuss any medical concerns with your healthcare provider before beginning any diet or fitness regimen. The following information is not a substitute for medical advice:

• Manage your blood pressure: Check it regularly. Hypertension is often asymptomatic
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of disease
• Eat well and exercise: These two activities are associated with a lower incidence of heart disease
• Drink less alcohol and don’t smoke: These habits are seen more frequently in heart disease patients
• Sleep well and reduce stress: Lower cortisol levels may reduce your risk for heart disease

While not all risk factors are controllable, some are. The list above is not comprehensive. Give your heart some love, and talk to your doctor about the best ways to care for it. 

Tip adapted from MedlinePlus.gov¹¹

Giant Panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)

Wolong National Nature Reserve, China

Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.

International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.

Please consult your financial professional for additional information.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

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