Stock Market Today: WMT & DE Rally, CVNA Sells After Earnings #shorts

Schwab Network
Schwab NetworkFeb 20, 2026

Why It Matters

Guidance shortfalls from retail giants and mixed earnings from industrials highlight earnings quality as a key market driver, while upcoming macro data will shape short‑term investor sentiment.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart beats earnings but guidance disappoints, shares fall over 1%
  • Deere posts 11.5% post‑earnings rally, raises sales and profit outlook
  • Carvana revenue spikes 58% yet adjusted EBITDA misses, stock down 8%
  • Dow down 0.5%, Nasdaq and S&P each slip about 1% today
  • Market awaits Friday’s GDP and core PCE data for direction

Summary

Wall Street reversed Wednesday’s rally, with the Dow slipping 0.5% and the Nasdaq and S&P 500 each falling roughly 1% as earnings dominated trading. The Russell 2000 was the lone index to gain, edging up a quarter of a percent.

Walmart opened strong but closed over 1% lower after posting a top‑and‑bottom‑line beat while forecasting FY EPS of $2.75‑$2.85, below the $2.97 consensus. Deere surged 11.5% after reporting $9.6 billion in sales, beating expectations, and raising fiscal net‑income guidance to $4.5‑$5 billion. CEO Jim Fleming called 2026 the bottom of the farm slump, fueling optimism.

Carvana’s revenue jumped 58% YoY to $5.6 billion, yet adjusted EBITDA of $511 million fell short of estimates, dragging the stock down 8% and leaving it 21% lower year‑to‑date. Analysts trimmed price targets but maintained bullish ratings, reflecting confidence in the longer‑term recovery.

Investors now await Friday’s GDP and delayed core PCE figures for the December period, which could clarify whether the recent earnings‑driven volatility signals a broader economic shift or a temporary market correction.

Original Description

Today's earnings moved markets on Thursday's session, from Carvana's (CVNA) report after Wednesday's close, to Walmart (WMT) and Deere (DE) the following morning. Marley Kayden keys investors into the metrics leading to today's price action.
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