The Trading Post | 02.27.26

Good morning,

U.S. stock futures are softer this morning as “AI jitters” keep pressure on tech, and traders wait on today’s key inflation data (January PPI). Below are the top 5 headlines and actionable insights for today’s market.

Let’s jump in.

Yesterday’s Post-Market Performance

As of 02.26.26 market close.

Market News

• US stock futures falter on AI jitters; Nasdaq on pace for steep monthly drop; January PPI ahead. Expect index chop around the PPI print; consider reducing size into the release, then trade the post-data direction (breakout/breakdown) in QQQ/SPY rather than guessing pre-print. If tech remains the drag, watch for relative strength rotation into defensives/value and use XLK vs XLF relative charts to confirm. Reuters

• Trump announces temporary global tariff of 10% after Supreme Court invalidates most prior tariffs. Treat tariff headlines as volatility fuel—look for gap-and-go or gap-fade setups in tariff-sensitive groups (industrials, semis, retailers) and confirm with sector breadth before committing. If tariffs escalate again, energy/commodities can catch a bid; keep an eye on crude-sensitive names and inflation expectations proxies. Reuters

• Nvidia stabilizes premarket after prior-session drop despite strong earnings (sentiment still fragile) Use NVDA as the “AI tape” bellwether—if NVDA can’t reclaim key intraday levels early, fades in high-beta AI/semis may have better odds than dip-buys. If NVDA holds and breadth improves, a tactical long via SMH/QQQ with tight risk (below morning low/VWAP loss) can be cleaner than single-name hero trades. Reuters

• Premarket movers: Zscaler drops on billings/deferred revenue miss; Autodesk pops on upbeat guidance. For big earnings-gap names, focus on the first 15–30 minutes: (a) “gap-and-go” only if it holds above the opening range high with rising volume, (b) “gap-fill” if it loses VWAP quickly. ZS weakness can spill into cloud/cyber peers—trade the basket (HACK/BUG-style exposure or top components) if sympathy moves confirm. CNBC

• Netflix jumps after exiting the fight for Warner Bros (deal-related relief rally) If NFLX opens far above prior resistance, avoid chasing the first spike; wait for a pullback to VWAP/9-EMA reclaim or an opening-range break to define risk. Use the move to scan related media/streaming names for laggard catch-up setups, but only if the group’s relative strength turns up vs SPY. Reuters

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Daily Moment of Zen

Why It Matters:

This quote emphasizes the critical role emotions play in trading. While intelligence and technical skills are important, it’s the emotional discipline that often separates successful traders from those who struggle. Trading involves managing fear, greed, and the temptation to act impulsively. A speculator might have all the knowledge in the world, but if they cannot control their emotions during high-stakes moments—like when markets are volatile or when facing significant losses—they are less likely to make decisions that lead to long-term success.

In other words, it’s not just about being smart; it’s about having the mental fortitude to stick to your strategy and remain calm when things don’t go according to plan. Traders who can manage their emotions, make decisions based on their strategy rather than immediate feelings, and stay disciplined are more likely to thrive in the highly unpredictable world of speculation.