Softer inflation lifts Fed-cut hopes, but not stock prices.

👋 Hey Hustlrs

Welcome back to The Global Hustlr Weekly Update. 

Every week, I recap the U.S. market through a momentum lens to help you see what’s working and what it means for the week ahead.

Today’s edition breaks down what truly moved markets, why it matters for your long‑term wealth, and how to stay positioned as an African investing in US assets — even when the world feels chaotic.

Let’s dive in.

☕️ QUICK BREW: THIS WEEK’S MARKET PULSE

U.S. stocks slipped as AI jitters in tech outweighed encouraging inflation and jobs data, pushing the S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq to their sharpest weekly losses since November. 

Under the surface, bond yields fell, gold steadied, and crypto stayed choppy as money quietly rotated into safer pockets of the market.

📉 Tech/AI jitters drag major U.S. indices sharply lower.

📊 Softer inflation lifts Fed-cut hopes, but not stock prices.

🧠 AI disruption fears hit software, insurers, even trucking and logistics.

🔁 Rotation out of mega-cap growth into defensives and quality credit.

🧮 CPI eases toward about 2.4–2.5%.

🪙 Crypto, gold, silver and oil stay volatile as investors hunt diversifiers.

🔑 WEEKLY MARKET SCOREBOARD (FEB 9–13, 2026)

How the "Global Hustlr" assets actually moved:

🔑 THE BIG STORIES

1️⃣ Tech Rotation

Tech stocks finally hit the brakes after months of AI-powered momentum. Investors grew nervous about stretched valuations and the possibility that AI adoption may not translate into immediate revenue for every company. 

Meanwhile, the firms building the infrastructure behind AI — chips, data centers, cloud compute — continued posting monster numbers, widening the gap between winners and everyone else.

📌 Why it matters: If your portfolio is overloaded with mega-cap tech, this is your reminder that even the strongest sectors need breathers. 

Rotations like this create buying opportunities — but only if you’re patient and diversified.

Cooler inflation
U.S. CPI came in softer than expected, rising just 0.2% month-over-month and easing to 2.4% year-over-year. 

That’s the closest inflation has been to the Fed’s 2% target in nearly three years. Markets initially cheered, but the excitement faded as investors questioned whether the Fed will actually cut rates soon or wait for more confirmation.

📌 Why it matters: Lower inflation is good for stocks, bonds, and emerging-market currencies — including African currencies. But markets want certainty, not just good news. Expect more volatility until the Fed signals its next move.

Worst week of 2026 (so far)

Despite the friendlier inflation news, all three major U.S. indexes ended the week in the red, with the S&P 500 and Dow posting their steepest weekly drops since November. 

Tech selling simply overwhelmed the macro “good news”. Volatility picked up, but this was more of a sentiment reset than a full-blown panic.

📌 Why it matters: Weeks like this are normal even in bull markets; the investors who win are those who keep buying quality assets on sale instead of reacting emotionally to every headline.

AI disruption fears
A big theme this week was not just “AI is the future” but “AI might disrupt my business sooner than expected”. 

That fear hit software, financials, and other service sectors as investors tried to figure out who will be the winners and who might see margins squeezed. 

Meanwhile, companies supplying AI infrastructure (chips and related equipment) continued to show strong demand and upbeat outlooks.

📌 Why it matters: For you, this is a reminder to separate AI hype from AI infrastructure and real cash flows; broad AI exposure is fine, but the best opportunities are usually in the picks-and-shovels rather than every “AI story” stock.

Bonds, gold, and bitcoin
As stocks stumbled, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield slipped to just above 4%, extending a bond rally that started when inflation began cooling. 

Gold and silver wobbled but appear to be forming a base as geopolitical and policy risks stay elevated. 

Bitcoin remained volatile, pulling back after earlier strength and raising the risk of retesting its early-February lows.

📌 Why it matters: A diversified portfolio that includes bonds and a small allocation to “store of value” assets like gold (and, for more aggressive investors, a touch of bitcoin) can cushion equity drawdowns and reduce stress during rocky weeks.

TOP PERFORMERS INSIDE A WEAK WEEK:

⚡ Energy – Best-acting S&P 500 sector as oil stays firm and investors rotate into “hard-asset” cash-generating businesses.

• YTD performance: about +21–23% for the S&P 500 Energy sector.

• Example stocks: Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX).

• Example ETFs: Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE).

🏭 Industrials – Held up better than growth sectors as money shifted toward economically sensitive, cash-flow-strong names.

• YTD performance: about +21–23% for the S&P 500 Energy sector.

• Example stocks: Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX).

• Example ETFs: Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE).

💡 Utilities – Benefited from a defensive rotation and attractive yields after the rate scare

• YTD performance: about +4–5% for S&P 500 Utilities.

• Example stocks: NextEra Energy (NEE), Duke Energy (DUK).

• Example ETFs: Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU).

💡 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR INVESTMENTS?

Let’s break this down into practical, investor-friendly insights.

1️⃣ Rate Cuts → Winners & Losers

If inflation keeps cooling, rate cuts become more likely. That’s good news for:

• Growth stocks

• Small-caps

• Real estate

• Emerging markets

But it can pressure:

• Cash-heavy portfolios

• High-yield savings accounts

• Short-term bonds

If you’re overweight cash, start planning your next moves.

2️⃣ Portfolio Balance Matters More Than Ever

Tech has been carrying the market for years. Weeks like this remind you why diversification is not optional. A balanced portfolio protects you when one sector stumbles.

Think:

• 1–2 growth ETFs

• 1 defensive ETF

• 1 international ETF

• A sprinkle of commodities or crypto

Simple. Effective. Durable.

3️⃣ Earnings Season = Opportunity Season

Companies beating expectations are being rewarded. Companies missing are getting punished. This is the perfect time to:

• Add to winners

• Cut laggards

• Avoid hype buying

Earnings season is where disciplined investors shine.

🚀 Action Step (Do This Today):

Pick one sector you’re underexposed to — and add a small, consistent position. Even $20–$50 weekly builds wealth over time.

📣 Final Sip

I know. Seeing a sea of red on your screen isn’t fun.

The S&P 500 dipped 1.4%. The Nasdaq 100 took a 2.1% hit. Your portfolio looks a little "lighter" than it did last Monday.

But here is the secret most amateur investors miss:

Volatility is the fee you pay for admission to the greatest wealth-building machine on Earth.

In 2026, the headlines will try to scare you. They’ll call a 2% dip a "rout" or a "slump." They want you to panic-sell so the big institutions can buy your shares at a discount.

Don't let them.

Investing is a game of decades, not days. 

A "Red Week" is just the market taking a breath before the next climb. While the crowd is worrying about a 1.4% drop, the Global Hustlr is busy buying the world's best companies at a 1.4% discount.

Keep your head cool. 

Enjoy your weekend. We’ll be back on the field on Monday.

— Your Global Hustlr Insider

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DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Any investments or decisions made based on the information provided in this newsletter are the reader's sole responsibility. We recommend that readers conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. The author does not assume any responsibility for any losses or damages arising from using the information provided in this newsletter.