February 2026 Market Chartbook

Sean Gross, CFP®, AIF® | Co-Founder & CEO

Click here to view our February 2026 Market Chartbook.

February Market Review: How the Supreme Court Tariff Ruling, AI, and Iran Shaped Markets

March 3, 2026

Sean Gross, CFP®, AIF® | Co-Founder & CEO

February served as a timely reminder that markets rarely move in a straight line. After January's positive momentum pushed major indices to record highs, sentiment shifted in response to a landmark Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence, softer-than-expected labor market data, and significant escalations in the Middle East. At the same time, international equities and small-cap stocks continued to outperform their domestic large-cap counterparts, and bonds posted further gains—underscoring the enduring value of a well-balanced portfolio.

Although headlines can drive short-term volatility, the broader economy remains on solid footing and corporate earnings continue to expand. Rather than reacting to any single development, investors are best positioned by maintaining a flexible, diversified portfolio that reflects their long-term financial goals.

Key Market and Economic Drivers in February

• The S&P 500 fell -0.9% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped -3.4% for the month. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2%.
• The CBOE VIX volatility index increased to 19.9 at the end of the month due to AI-related concerns and trade policy uncertainty.
• International developed markets jumped 4.5% based on the MSCI EAFE Index in US dollar terms, while emerging markets gained 5.4% based on the MSCI EM Index. Year-to-date, they have gained 9.9% and 14.6%, respectively.
• U.S. small cap stocks gained 0.7% based on the Russell 2000.
• The 10-year Treasury yield ended the month lower at 3.95%. This is the first month it has fallen below 4% since last November. The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index rose 1.6%.
• Gold closed lower at $5,279 per ounce but reached as low as $4,661 at the beginning of the month. Silver ended lower at $93.79 per month.
• The U.S. dollar index rose slightly to 97.6.
• January inflation showed headline CPI at 2.4% year-over-year and core CPI at 2.5%, while the core PCE price index rose 0.4% month-over-month, the sharpest increase in a year.
• The unemployment rate edged down to 4.3% in January, with 130,000 nonfarm payroll jobs added. However, annual benchmark revisions showed the economy created only 181,000 jobs in all of 2025, roughly 15,000 per month.
• On February 20, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration’s use of IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs, prompting a pivot to alternative trade laws.
• On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, including the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader who has been reported killed.
• The S&P 500 fell -0.9% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped -3.4% for the month. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2%.
• The CBOE VIX volatility index increased to 19.9 at the end of the month due to AI-related concerns and trade policy uncertainty.
• International developed markets jumped 4.5% based on the MSCI EAFE Index in US dollar terms, while emerging markets gained 5.4% based on the MSCI EM Index. Year-to-date, they have gained 9.9% and 14.6%, respectively.
• U.S. small cap stocks gained 0.7% based on the Russell 2000.
• The 10-year Treasury yield ended the month lower at 3.95%. This is the first month it has fallen below 4% since last November. The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index rose 1.6%.
• Gold closed lower at $5,279 per ounce but reached as low as $4,661 at the beginning of the month. Silver ended lower at $93.79 per month.
• The U.S. dollar index rose slightly to 97.6.
• January inflation showed headline CPI at 2.4% year-over-year and core CPI at 2.5%, while the core PCE price index rose 0.4% month-over-month, the sharpest increase in a year.
• The unemployment rate edged down to 4.3% in January, with 130,000 nonfarm payroll jobs added. However, annual benchmark revisions showed the economy created only 181,000 jobs in all of 2025, roughly 15,000 per month.
• On February 20, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration’s use of IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs, prompting a pivot to alternative trade laws.
• On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, including the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader who has been reported killed.

A Supreme Court ruling reshapes trade policy

The most consequential policy event in February was the Supreme Court’s February 20 ruling against the administration’s tariffs. Originally enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose reciprocal tariffs on most trading partners, the decision carries broad implications—including the potential for refunds to businesses and consumers.

In response to the ruling, the White House swiftly moved to implement tariffs under a different legal basis—Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—which grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days. These new import duties took effect on February 24. The administration is also expected to pursue additional measures, including Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for addressing unfair trade practices and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 for national security-related restrictions.

For investors, the key takeaway is that while the legal framework underpinning tariffs has changed, the overall policy direction has not. Trade uncertainty will continue to generate headlines and contribute to market volatility. However, history suggests that markets tend to adapt to new trade realities over time, particularly as companies reconfigure their supply chains and refine their pricing strategies.

The Treasury yield curve reflected some of this uncertainty, with the 10-year yield briefly dipping below 4% for the first time since November. This dynamic provided a tailwind for fixed income portfolios in February, reinforcing the important role bonds play in a balanced investment approach.

AI enthusiasm versus valuations

Artificial intelligence remained a central theme in market conversations throughout February, though the narrative evolved from concerns about elevated valuations to a broader debate about the speed and scale of disruption to existing business models. Some investors have grown wary that AI agents could compress software margins, accelerate the automation of white-collar roles, and upend traditional business models more rapidly than anticipated.

These concerns have helped fuel a notable rotation in markets. Investors have been moving away from mega-cap technology stocks and toward sectors viewed as more resilient to disruption—including energy, materials, and industrials. This shift, sometimes characterized as a move toward "heavy assets, low obsolescence" (HALO) companies, helps explain why the Nasdaq lagged while other areas of the market moved higher.

While market volatility can be unsettling, this rotation represents a constructive development for long-term investors who have been mindful of elevated equity valuations.

Growth cooled while the labor market sent mixed signals

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, a notable deceleration from the 4.4% pace recorded in the prior quarter and below the market consensus estimate of 2.5%. The slowdown was attributable in part to the record-long government shutdown and a pullback in consumer spending. That said, business investment expanded at an annualized rate of 3.7%, driven by record-setting capital commitments to AI data centers. For the full year 2025, real GDP grew 2.2%, which is a healthy pace by historical standards.

Conditions in the labor market sent more mixed signals. Although the unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3% in January, annual benchmark revisions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed a considerably weaker employment picture. The economy added only 181,000 jobs over the course of 2025, or approximately 15,000 per month.

This has prompted some economists to characterize the current environment as one of "jobless growth"—a scenario in which the economy expands but job creation fails to keep pace. The divergence between GDP growth and employment has been widening since mid-2022, raising questions about the quality and breadth of the current expansion.

International stocks and small caps led the way

One of the most notable features of February’s market environment was the continued outperformance of asset classes beyond U.S. large-cap equities. International developed markets rose nearly 5% for the month, while emerging markets gained over 5%. U.S. small caps delivered their strongest monthly performance since August, with the Russell 2000 surging roughly 5% year-to-date—far outpacing the S&P 500.

This broadening of market returns is meaningful for diversified investors. After several years during which a small handful of large U.S. technology companies accounted for the bulk of market gains, the rotation toward international equities, small caps, and cyclical sectors suggests investors are identifying opportunities across a wider range of assets. A softer U.S. dollar earlier in the year also provided a boost to international returns when translated back into U.S. dollar terms.

Precious metals extended their strong performance as well, with gold and silver rising 6.8% and 8.1%, respectively. These gains reflect a confluence of geopolitical uncertainty, central bank buying, and concerns about fiscal deficits. While precious metals can serve a role in diversified portfolios, January’s sharp reversal is a reminder that they are not immune to significant price swings.

A major development at the close of February was the escalation of the U.S.-Iran conflict, which intensified following military strikes across the Middle East and reported deaths of several of Iran’s key leaders. While the situation continues to unfold and geopolitical uncertainty can weigh on investor sentiment, history demonstrates that remaining invested has consistently proven to be the most effective approach to navigating such periods.

The bottom line? February’s weakness in U.S. equities was offset by strength in international markets, small caps, and bonds. While AI developments and trade policy uncertainty are likely to remain in focus, the broadening of market leadership represents an encouraging sign for long-term investors.

How the Iran Conflict Affects Markets and Long-Term Investing

March 2, 2026

Sean Gross, CFP®, AIF® | Co-Founder & CEO 

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran targeting senior leadership, military capabilities, and elements of its nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state media confirmed on March 1 that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks. Iran has since retaliated with waves of missile and drone strikes across the region. President Trump stated the objective of the operation—Operation Epic Fury—is to force regime change in Tehran and indicated that strikes could continue for weeks. As of March 2, at least six U.S. service members have been killed in action and five seriously wounded.

The situation is evolving quickly. The safety of civilians and U.S. troops remains the foremost concern. Without minimizing the gravity of events, investors understandably have questions about potential implications for markets, oil prices, and their portfolios.

The key for long term investors is to separate geopolitical headlines from investment decisions. Diversified portfolios designed around your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon are built to navigate uncertainty, including conflict headlines like these. While every event is unique, financial markets have successfully navigated countless wars, crises, and regional conflicts, including the U.S. operation in Venezuela earlier this year. The key for long-term investors is to separate geopolitical headlines from portfolio decisions.

The latest strikes are part of a longer, ongoing story

Although the current strikes are significant in scale, tensions with Iran have been building for years. The recent timeline of events include:

• In 2019, Iran launched drone strikes against Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, temporarily disrupting global oil production and raising concerns about a broader regional war.
• In October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel which led to an expanded conflict and rising tensions with Iran-backed terrorist groups.
• Last summer, Israel (and the U.S through Operation Midnight Hammer) conducted a 12-day military campaign against Iran, targeting nuclear and ballistic missile programs in what was the most direct confrontation between the three countries in decades. 
• Earlier this year, Iranian protesters challenged the regime, with President Trump pledging U.S. support.
• In recent weeks, when negotiations over Iran's nuclear program failed to reach an agreement, a significant U.S. military buildup in the region signaled that a broader operation was being planned, culminating in the current strikes.

The scope of the most recent strikes, particularly the targeting of Iran's senior leadership, is broader than prior engagements. Nevertheless, history demonstrates that such conflicts are not always a direct catalyst for sustained market movements.

Oil prices and the Strait of Hormuz

For investors, the most direct channel through which Middle East conflicts affect financial markets is global energy prices. Iran is a member of OPEC and produces around 3 million barrels per day of oil and 27 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. The country also borders the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical energy waterway. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, approximately one-third of all seaborne oil exports and one-fifth of natural gas passes through this region. Even the prospect of disruption to this vital waterway could have notable implications for global energy markets.

Oil prices had already been climbing in anticipation of the strikes. The immediate reaction has been a further increase in oil prices, to the low $70s for WTI and just under $80 for Brent crude. Although western countries do not directly import oil from Iran, the global nature of the oil market means that any supply disruption can push prices higher.

Some perspective is warranted, however. Current oil prices remain well below the 2022 peak of nearly $128 per barrel reached when Russia invaded Ukraine. Today's environment differs considerably. In 2018, the U.S. became the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas, with current domestic production surpassing other major producers such as Saudi Arabia and Russia. While the U.S. still participates in global energy markets, this level of production helps shield the domestic economy from supply disruptions.

It is also worth noting that oil prices are notoriously difficult to forecast. When Russia invaded Ukraine, many observers expected prices to remain elevated for an extended period. Instead, prices stabilized and declined far sooner than anticipated. Similarly, the U.S. operation in Venezuela this past January caused a brief movement in oil prices but had little lasting effect.

Maintaining investments through periods of geopolitical uncertainty

For long-term investors, the most important takeaway from past geopolitical conflicts is the value of remaining invested. It is natural to feel unsettled when headlines describe military strikes, retaliatory attacks, and the potential for a wider regional war. These events carry real human consequences and differ from the typical flow of market news around earnings, valuations, and economic data.

The above chart illustrates that markets have successfully navigated even the most serious global events. From World War II to the Gulf War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, markets experienced short-term volatility but were ultimately driven by economic fundamentals over the long run. More recently, the conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas, generated uncertainty but did not derail the broader market trajectory.

It is also important to recognize that Iran plays a minimal direct role in investment portfolios. The country has been subject to heavy sanctions for years and its economy has been experiencing hyperinflation, with its currency, the Rial, suffering a severe decline in value. As a result, very few investors have direct exposure to Iran within their asset allocations.

Markets may experience volatility in the days and weeks ahead as the situation continues to evolve. Oil prices could rise further, and uncertainty may weigh on investor sentiment. However, attempting to time these movements has historically proven counterproductive. Markets have demonstrated a remarkable capacity to rebound unexpectedly, and missing even a small number of the best trading days can meaningfully reduce long-term returns.

The bottom line? The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran represent an important geopolitical development. However, history shows that investors who maintain flexible, diversified portfolios aligned with their long-term financial goals are best positioned to navigate periods of uncertainty.

How Will the Supreme Court’s Tariff Ruling Affect the Economy & Markets?

February 21, 2026

Sean Gross, CFP®, AIF® | Co-Founder & CEO

 

• On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the broad tariffs enacted by the White House under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal. This matters for investors because trade policy has been a major source of market volatility and has affected all parts of the economy. 

• The ruling struck down tariffs on virtually every country tied to trade deficits, as well as those on Mexico, Canada, and China over fentanyl concerns, though smaller tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars remain in place. This includes the "reciprocal tariffs" that were announced during last April's "liberation day."

• It's unclear whether refunds will be provided and how they will be enacted. Thousands of businesses were part of the lawsuits that made their way to the Supreme Court, so this could impact many sectors. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, roughly $90 billion of the approximately $195 billion in tariffs collected under IEEPA may need to be refunded.

• The White House has already moved to re-enact tariffs under other legal frameworks; however, these laws have procedural limits and may not allow tariffs as sweeping as the ones struck down. So, while the Supreme Courts’s ruling minimizes one tool the administration has been using for international negotiations, they may still be able to implement tariffs in other ways, but with more limitations. 

• The chart below shows the level of import tariffs across different countries. These tariffs have led to short-term volatility, but the market has remained remarkably resilient over the past year.

• Bottom line: While policy changes like this can create short-term uncertainty, it is worth remembering that corporate earnings, economic growth, and valuations tend to be the true drivers of long-term market performance.

January 2026 Market Chartbook

Sean Gross, CFP®, AIF® | Co-Founder & CEO

Click here to view our January 2026 Market Chartbook.