SStocks were mixed last week, with strong gains on Monday and Friday framing a difficult stretch in between, as investors worked through a heavy wave of Q4 earnings and troubling signals from the labor market.
The Numbers
- S&P 500: −0.10%
- Nasdaq: −1.84%
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: +2.50%
- MSCI EAFE: +0.49%
A striking divergence within U.S. markets: the Dow posted its best week in some time while the Nasdaq lagged sharply, reflecting a notable rotation out of technology and into more economically sensitive sectors.
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 and cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.
What Happened
Monday: Strong Start Markets opened the week with broad gains across all three major averages, as investors entered with optimism ahead of a busy earnings week featuring more than 100 S&P 500 companies reporting.
Mid-Week: Rotation and Anxiety Sentiment shifted quickly on Tuesday as investors appeared to rotate out of technology and into cyclical sectors — areas of the economy more likely to benefit from an improving economic environment. Wednesday brought more pressure when ADP reported that private employers added only 22,000 jobs in January, roughly half of the 45,000 expected. Stocks fell again Thursday, with the S&P 500 briefly turning negative for the year. A separate report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed companies cut more than 108,000 jobs in January — the highest January layoff count since 2009.
Friday: Buyers Return, Dow Hits 50,000 Markets rebounded broadly to close the week as investors appeared to step in and buy the dip. The Dow led, closing above 50,000 for the first time. The Nasdaq reclaimed 23,000, and the S&P gained roughly 2% on the day. A University of Michigan survey showing consumer sentiment at a six-month high helped lift the mood heading into the weekend.
The Fed Holds Steady The January meeting marked the first time the Fed paused since July, ending a run of three straight rate cuts. With the next Fed meeting not until mid-March, markets will have several weeks of data — including this week’s jobs report — to recalibrate expectations around the pace of future cuts.
The Jobs Picture: Complicated The week’s labor market data sent conflicting signals that investors are still working to reconcile. Private payroll growth was less than half of what was expected. January layoffs hit a 16-year high for the month. Yet the Fed’s most recent post-meeting statement described job gains as “low” with “some signs of stabilization” — language that suggests the central bank is watching carefully but not yet alarmed.
One additional wrinkle: the government’s official January employment report, originally due Friday, was delayed by the recent government shutdown and is now scheduled for release this Wednesday. That report will be the most complete read on the labor market and will draw significant attention from both investors and Fed officials.
What We’re Watching
Wednesday’s Jobs Report The delayed federal employment report is the week’s centerpiece. Given the conflicting private-sector data from last week, the official numbers could meaningfully shift expectations around the Fed’s next move.
Friday’s CPI Inflation data arrives at the end of the week, and with the Fed already in a holding pattern, any surprise in either direction could move markets. A cooler reading would be welcomed; a hotter one would add to the uncertainty.
The Rotation Trade Last week’s divergence between the Dow and Nasdaq bears watching. If investors continue shifting from growth-oriented tech into cyclicals and value, it could represent a broader rebalancing of market leadership — not just a one-week blip.
This Week’s Critical Data
- Wednesday: Federal Employment Report (January, delayed)
- Friday: Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Note: Several reports reflect delayed publication from the recent government shutdown.
Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; February 6, 2026. Forecasts are subject to revision and may not materialize.
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Footnotes And Sources
WSJ.com, February 6, 2026
Investing.com, February 6, 2026
CNBC.com, February 2, 2026
CNBC.com, February 4, 2026
CNBC.com, February 5, 2026
WSJ.com, February 6, 2026
CNBC.com, February 4, 2026
CNBC.com, February 5, 2026
CNBC.com, January 28, 2026
IRS.gov, July 8, 2025
