CNBC Business News Update Market Midday: Stocks Higher, Nvidia Up 2% Ahead of Earnings, Tax Refunds Are Starting To Hit Consumer's Bank Accounts 2/25/26
Feb 25, 2026
Midday market moves and top stock movers get a quick run-through. NVIDIA ticks higher ahead of its after-hours report and AI chip competition is in focus. Tariff-driven volatility and its market effects are explored. Early tax refunds arriving and where that money might flow are discussed. Home improvement chain results and mortgage-rate shifts round out the roundup.
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Markets Move Higher Ahead Of Tech Earnings
- U.S. markets were broadly higher midday with the Dow up about 0.5% and the Nasdaq rising roughly 1%.
- Jessica Ettinger reports IBM leading the Dow and NVIDIA shares up 2.3% ahead of after-hours earnings, signaling tech strength.
Tariff Announcements Create Market Tape Bombs
- President Trump said tariffs are staying, and Raymond James' Ed Mills says markets dislike sudden tariff-related surprises called "tape bombs."
- Mills warns that these abrupt policy moves create volatility and unsettle clients and markets.
AI Chip Leadership Faces Diversification Risk
- Major cloud and AI-related names — Salesforce, Snowflake, and NVIDIA — were set to report after the bell, with NVIDIA up 2.3% earlier.
- Analysts debate whether NVIDIA will remain the AI bellwether as customers diversify to AMD and Broadcom.