February 11, 2026

Markets:

Job growth came in stronger than expected to start 2026, easing concerns around the U.S. labor market.

Nonfarm payrolls rose 130,000 in January, well above the Dow Jones estimate of 55,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The print also improved from December’s revised 48,000 gain. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%, beating expectations for 4.4%.

Looking ahead, additional economic data could influence market direction this week, with CPI inflation data due Friday.

Bitcoin’s rebound stalled midweek, with the cryptocurrency slipping back below $67,000 earlier today.

Portfolio:

We enter today holding setups in PLTU, CORZ, and SD. The queue remains very active, but patience is key this week as more data unfolds. Let price develop and be selective.

No recessionary signals here:

Nonfarm Payrolls: +130K vs. +65K est

Unemployment Rate: 4.3% vs. 4.4% est

Avg Hourly Earnings: +0.4% MoM vs. 0.3% est

QQQ is now on watch for 617, with a potential move toward 621. A break above that level could set the stage for a broader breakout as we head into NVDA earnings during the week of 2/25.