Markets, tech and policy moves shape Tuesday trade

The Dow Jones Index opened 0.30% lower on Tuesday, down 151 points, as investors digested stock‑specific news and ongoing concerns about technology disruption. Early weakness in components such as Chevron, Salesforce and Caterpillar weighed on the blue‑chip gauge, partially offset by gains in Travelers Companies, Visa and Apple.

Elsewhere in US markets, pre‑market commentary pointed to exchange‑traded funds and equity futures trading lower amid fears of accelerated AI‑driven disruption to established business models. Those worries were reflected in stock‑picking research, with some banks highlighting shares they believe have been hit harder than fundamentals justify.

At the single‑stock level, individual moves were driven by earnings expectations, analyst calls and corporate actions. For example, Sysco and FedEx both traded near 52‑week or all‑time highs after beating recent estimates, while valuation debates continued in names such as Occidental Petroleum, where one model suggested mid‑teens upside based on commodity and capital allocation assumptions.

In cybersecurity, Palo Alto Networks announced a deal to acquire Koi, a startup focused on what it terms “agentic endpoint security,” which aims to improve visibility and protection for AI agent usage on endpoint devices. Terms were not disclosed, though a prior media report had suggested discussions around a $400 million price. Palo Alto Networks plans to integrate Koi’s capabilities into its Prisma AIRS AI security platform and its Cortex XDR endpoint offering.

The transaction follows Palo Alto Networks’ recent completion of two large acquisitions: the $25 billion purchase of CyberArk and the $3.35 billion acquisition of observability provider Chronosphere. In October 2025, the company had rolled out Prisma AIRS 2.0, incorporating features from its Protect AI acquisition to defend in real time against threats such as prompt injection, malicious agents and tool misuse. Investors are watching whether this expanded portfolio can reinvigorate the stock ahead of upcoming quarterly results.

Other technology and data‑focused firms also reported AI‑related milestones. Qlik was named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Augmented Data Quality Solutions for the seventh time, pointing to demand for tools that improve data quality for AI use cases. Separately, AIG detailed how it is scaling “agentic AI” internally through an orchestration layer that coordinates AI agents to support underwriting and claims workflows, citing measurable gains in submission processing capacity.

On the policy front, India’s information minister reiterated that major global tech platforms, including YouTube, Meta, X and Netflix, must operate within the country’s constitutional framework. His comments followed New Delhi’s recent tightening of content‑takedown rules, which now require social media companies to remove unlawful content within three hours of notification, down from 36 hours previously. The minister also called for stronger regulation of deepfakes and said industry dialogue on the issue is under way.

In macro data, Canada reported that consumer prices rose 2.3% year over year in January, down from 2.4% in December. Statistics Canada said gasoline prices, which fell 16.7% from a year earlier, were the largest contributor to the deceleration. Excluding gasoline, CPI increased 3.0%, unchanged from December, with some categories still reflecting base effects from a temporary GST/HST tax break in early 2025. Shelter costs rose 1.7%, their first sub‑2% increase in nearly five years.

Separately, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published an analysis of synthetic risk transfer transactions, noting that their economic importance has grown and that markets have become a key source of capital relief for bank credit risk. The Committee said post‑crisis reforms have made these structures simpler and more scrutinized, but recommended continued supervisory monitoring, particularly around banks’ growing interconnections with non‑bank financial intermediaries.

In corporate restructuring, PacifiCorp agreed to sell its wind, natural gas generation and distribution assets in Washington state to Portland General Electric for $1.9 billion, subject to customary price adjustments. The package includes assets such as the Chehalis thermal plant and two wind farms, as well as distribution infrastructure serving customers in Yakima, Walla Walla and nearby areas. PacifiCorp said the sale is intended to address regulatory complexity across the six states where it operates and to improve its financial stability while narrowing its geographic focus.

Telecom infrastructure also saw portfolio changes. IHS Towers said it will exit Latin America by selling its operations in Brazil and Colombia, totaling about 8,860 tower sites, to an entity backed by Macquarie Asset Management for approximately $952 million. The company framed the move as part of a strategy to enhance shareholder value, while Macquarie highlighted the acquisition as a way to strengthen its position in regional 5G infrastructure.

In US real estate investment trusts, Crown Castle’s shares were little changed after Barclays cut its target price to $91 from $101 and maintained an “equal weight” rating. The stock, which opened at $90.61, has an average analyst rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $100.02, according to MarketBeat. Several other brokers have recently trimmed targets but kept generally neutral or constructive views on the company’s communications‑infrastructure portfolio.

In healthcare technology, GE HealthCare announced a $35 million expansion of its collaboration with the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The cost‑share agreement will fund development of AI‑powered ultrasound tools for trauma assessment and mass‑casualty preparedness, as well as point‑of‑care solutions aimed at improving reliability in demanding environments.

Royal Caribbean Group expanded its board to 14 directors with the appointment of Christopher Wiernicki, former chairman and CEO of the American Bureau of Shipping. The company cited his four decades of marine industry experience in areas including design, safety, digitalization and clean‑energy transition as relevant to Royal Caribbean’s growth plans. In another governance move, Legacy Education said its Integrity College of Health unit won a six‑year reaccreditation grant from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, the longest term the agency awards.

In consulting and technology services, Wells Fargo upgraded Accenture to “Overweight” while keeping a $275 price target, and separately raised ratings or targets on names such as Jack Henry & Associates and Lowe’s. Meanwhile, Xerox said it had formed a new intellectual‑property joint venture with TPG that raised $450 million through senior secured term loans and preferred equity, with proceeds to be used to bolster liquidity, accelerate its “Reinvention” program, and support capital‑structure actions including potential debt redemptions or repayments.