Markets Gain Ahead Of FOMC Minutes

U.S. stock futures rose early Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with S&P 500 futures up 0.6% and Nasdaq 100 futures up 0.7% as investors buy the dip amid AI valuation concerns. Traders await the FOMC minutes at 2:00 PM ET and premarket economic data including January Building Permits (1.400M expected) and Durable Goods Orders (forecast −1.7%), which could influence rate-cut expectations and sector rotation.