Wall Street Opens Under Pressure Amid AI Credit Concerns
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy APO?
Source: Benzinga
- Deteriorating Market Sentiment: Wall Street opened under heavy pressure as concerns over AI-related credit intensified, with the S&P 500 down over 1%, the Nasdaq 100 falling 1.3%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slumping 1.5%, indicating a pessimistic outlook among investors.
- Poor Financial Sector Performance: The Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLF) experienced its worst day since April 2025, reflecting growing concerns about financial stability that could impact future investment decisions.
- Tech Stocks Remain Under Pressure: The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV) fell 5%, hitting its lowest level since August 2024, as software companies continued their recent downturn, suggesting ongoing challenges in the tech sector.
- Trade Policy Uncertainty: Trump's plan to raise global tariffs to 15% to replace duties ruled illegal by the Supreme Court has injected fresh uncertainty into trade policy, raising questions about whether businesses that paid the invalidated levies will receive refunds.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy APO?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on APO
Wall Street analysts forecast APO stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 104.600
Low
136.00
Averages
164.45
High
182.00
Current: 104.600
Low
136.00
Averages
164.45
High
182.00
About APO
Apollo Global Management, Inc. is a global alternative asset manager and a retirement services provider. It operates through three segments: Asset Management, Retirement Services and Principal Investing. The Asset Management segment focuses on three investing strategies: yield, hybrid, and equity. These strategies reflect the range of investment capabilities across its platform based on relative risk and return. The Retirement Services business is conducted by Athene Holding Ltd (Athene), a financial services company that specializes in issuing, reinsuring, and acquiring retirement savings products designed for the increasing number of individuals and institutions seeking to fund retirement needs. Athene product lines include annuities and funding agreements. The Principal Investing segment includes realized performance fee income, realized investment income from its balance sheet investments, and certain allocable expenses related to corporate functions supporting the entire company.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Apollo Global Management Faces Class Action Over Epstein Ties
- Lawsuit Background: Robbins LLP has filed a class action against Apollo Global Management, alleging that the company failed to disclose its ties with Jeffrey Epstein from May 2021 to February 2026, exposing investors to potential losses.
- Leadership Communication: The complaint reveals that executives Rowan and Black frequently communicated with Epstein in the 2010s, contradicting the company's claims of no business dealings with him, thereby damaging its reputation.
- Stock Price Volatility: Following related news, Apollo's stock price fell by $1.35 to $133.19 on February 2, 2026, and dropped another $6.34 on February 3, indicating market concerns over the company's reputation.
- Subsequent Impact: After CNN reported on February 21, 2026, regarding Apollo's connections to Epstein, the stock dropped by $5.99 to close at $113.73, reflecting a decline in investor confidence regarding corporate governance and transparency.
See More
Rosen Law Firm Files Class Action Against Apollo Global Management
- Class Action Initiated: Rosen Law Firm has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Apollo Global Management securities purchasers from May 10, 2021, to February 21, 2026, aiming to recover damages under federal securities laws, highlighting potential legal risks for the company.
- False Statement Allegations: The lawsuit alleges that Apollo's leadership frequently communicated with Jeffrey Epstein in the 2010s, contradicting the company's claims of no business dealings with him, which could severely damage the company's reputation.
- Investor Losses: As the true details emerge, investors may suffer losses, emphasizing the company's lack of transparency and compliance, which could undermine future investor confidence.
- Legal Procedure Details: The class action has not yet been certified, and investors must apply to be lead plaintiffs by May 1, 2026, indicating the complexity of legal proceedings and the need for investor rights protection.
See More
Global Market Turmoil and Oil Price Surge
- Market Reaction: Dow futures are down about 500 points and Brent crude oil prices have surged over 8% following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, indicating limited market tolerance for a short war, while a prolonged conflict could lead to soaring oil prices and broader economic impacts.
- Iran Situation: The assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has led to a negative market response, with concerns that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard will remain in power, suggesting that international conflict may not ease, thereby increasing market uncertainty.
- Energy Stock Dynamics: Citigroup raised price targets for several energy companies, including Chevron and Exxon, reflecting market fears of supply disruptions as tankers are rerouted to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which could lead to sustained supply issues.
- Tech Stock Outlook: Nvidia plans to unveil a new inference processor aimed at enhancing AI system efficiency, and despite concerns over AI disruption, analysts remain bullish on its semiconductor performance, with Morgan Stanley again naming it a top pick, replacing Micron.
See More
Middle East Turmoil Triggers Market Panic
- Oil Price Surge Impact: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran has led to skyrocketing oil prices, which are expected to exacerbate inflation and hinder the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates, posing significant obstacles to economic recovery.
- Private Equity Crisis: Private equity and private credit firms are facing a trust crisis as they are perceived as high-risk debt bearers, leading to a sharp decline in market confidence regarding their future, which could result in a wave of bankruptcies and further heighten recession risks.
- Nvidia Under Customer Pressure: Despite Nvidia reporting strong quarterly results last week, concerns over future demand have intensified as competitors Amazon and Alphabet launched cheaper chips, causing its stock price to drop from $196 to $176, reflecting investor panic in the tech sector.
- Layoff Wave Triggers Market Turmoil: Block's announcement of a 40% workforce reduction has sparked concerns about the future of the tech industry; while this move may boost stock prices in the short term, it risks losing top talent and undermining operational stability and market confidence in the long run.
See More
Major Stock Indexes Decline Amid Hot PPI Data and Tech Layoffs
- PPI Impact: The latest producer price index data came in significantly hotter than expected, leading to declines in major stock indexes on Friday, exacerbating investor concerns about the economic outlook amid sweeping layoffs in the tech sector.
- Private Equity Pressure: Apollo Global Management's relative strength index (RSI) dropped to 24, with shares shedding over 11% during the week, despite most analysts maintaining a buy rating, indicating market worries about the sector's challenges and potential rebound opportunities.
- Overbought and Oversold Stocks: During earnings season, both overbought and oversold stocks emerged, with overbought stocks like Dell Technologies reaching an RSI of 70.1 and gaining 20% over the past five days, reflecting strong performance driven by surging server demand.
- Market Rebound Expectations: As some stocks enter oversold territory, technical indicators suggest potential for a market rebound, particularly as private equity firms face multiple challenges, prompting investors to seek undervalued investment opportunities.
See More
US Stocks Decline on Friday, Bank Stocks Plummet
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index closed down 0.43% on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.05% and the Nasdaq 100 down 0.30%, reflecting heightened investor concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, which has negatively impacted market confidence.
- Bank Stocks Plummet: The collapse of UK private lender Market Financial Solutions Ltd raised fears of rising defaults, leading to significant declines in bank stocks, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs both down over 7%, indicating instability within the financial sector.
- Economic Data Impact: The US January PPI rose 0.5% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of 0.3%, while the Chicago PMI unexpectedly increased to 57.7, demonstrating economic resilience, although market speculation regarding Fed rate cuts was dampened.
- Rising Oil Prices Pressure: WTI crude oil prices surged over 2% to a 7-month high due to President Trump's pessimistic remarks on Iranian nuclear negotiations, exacerbating geopolitical risks that could further impact airline profits, leading to declines in related stocks.
See More
Apollo Global Management Faces Class Action Over Epstein Ties
- Lawsuit Background: Robbins LLP has filed a class action against Apollo Global Management, alleging that the company failed to disclose its ties with Jeffrey Epstein from May 2021 to February 2026, exposing investors to potential losses.
- Leadership Communication: The complaint reveals that executives Rowan and Black frequently communicated with Epstein in the 2010s, contradicting the company's claims of no business dealings with him, thereby damaging its reputation.
- Stock Price Volatility: Following related news, Apollo's stock price fell by $1.35 to $133.19 on February 2, 2026, and dropped another $6.34 on February 3, indicating market concerns over the company's reputation.
- Subsequent Impact: After CNN reported on February 21, 2026, regarding Apollo's connections to Epstein, the stock dropped by $5.99 to close at $113.73, reflecting a decline in investor confidence regarding corporate governance and transparency.
See More
Rosen Law Firm Files Class Action Against Apollo Global Management
- Class Action Initiated: Rosen Law Firm has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Apollo Global Management securities purchasers from May 10, 2021, to February 21, 2026, aiming to recover damages under federal securities laws, highlighting potential legal risks for the company.
- False Statement Allegations: The lawsuit alleges that Apollo's leadership frequently communicated with Jeffrey Epstein in the 2010s, contradicting the company's claims of no business dealings with him, which could severely damage the company's reputation.
- Investor Losses: As the true details emerge, investors may suffer losses, emphasizing the company's lack of transparency and compliance, which could undermine future investor confidence.
- Legal Procedure Details: The class action has not yet been certified, and investors must apply to be lead plaintiffs by May 1, 2026, indicating the complexity of legal proceedings and the need for investor rights protection.
See More
Global Market Turmoil and Oil Price Surge
- Market Reaction: Dow futures are down about 500 points and Brent crude oil prices have surged over 8% following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, indicating limited market tolerance for a short war, while a prolonged conflict could lead to soaring oil prices and broader economic impacts.
- Iran Situation: The assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has led to a negative market response, with concerns that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard will remain in power, suggesting that international conflict may not ease, thereby increasing market uncertainty.
- Energy Stock Dynamics: Citigroup raised price targets for several energy companies, including Chevron and Exxon, reflecting market fears of supply disruptions as tankers are rerouted to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which could lead to sustained supply issues.
- Tech Stock Outlook: Nvidia plans to unveil a new inference processor aimed at enhancing AI system efficiency, and despite concerns over AI disruption, analysts remain bullish on its semiconductor performance, with Morgan Stanley again naming it a top pick, replacing Micron.
See More
Middle East Turmoil Triggers Market Panic
- Oil Price Surge Impact: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran has led to skyrocketing oil prices, which are expected to exacerbate inflation and hinder the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates, posing significant obstacles to economic recovery.
- Private Equity Crisis: Private equity and private credit firms are facing a trust crisis as they are perceived as high-risk debt bearers, leading to a sharp decline in market confidence regarding their future, which could result in a wave of bankruptcies and further heighten recession risks.
- Nvidia Under Customer Pressure: Despite Nvidia reporting strong quarterly results last week, concerns over future demand have intensified as competitors Amazon and Alphabet launched cheaper chips, causing its stock price to drop from $196 to $176, reflecting investor panic in the tech sector.
- Layoff Wave Triggers Market Turmoil: Block's announcement of a 40% workforce reduction has sparked concerns about the future of the tech industry; while this move may boost stock prices in the short term, it risks losing top talent and undermining operational stability and market confidence in the long run.
See More
Major Stock Indexes Decline Amid Hot PPI Data and Tech Layoffs
- PPI Impact: The latest producer price index data came in significantly hotter than expected, leading to declines in major stock indexes on Friday, exacerbating investor concerns about the economic outlook amid sweeping layoffs in the tech sector.
- Private Equity Pressure: Apollo Global Management's relative strength index (RSI) dropped to 24, with shares shedding over 11% during the week, despite most analysts maintaining a buy rating, indicating market worries about the sector's challenges and potential rebound opportunities.
- Overbought and Oversold Stocks: During earnings season, both overbought and oversold stocks emerged, with overbought stocks like Dell Technologies reaching an RSI of 70.1 and gaining 20% over the past five days, reflecting strong performance driven by surging server demand.
- Market Rebound Expectations: As some stocks enter oversold territory, technical indicators suggest potential for a market rebound, particularly as private equity firms face multiple challenges, prompting investors to seek undervalued investment opportunities.
See More
US Stocks Decline on Friday, Bank Stocks Plummet
- Market Decline: The S&P 500 index closed down 0.43% on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.05% and the Nasdaq 100 down 0.30%, reflecting heightened investor concerns over the disruptive potential of AI, which has negatively impacted market confidence.
- Bank Stocks Plummet: The collapse of UK private lender Market Financial Solutions Ltd raised fears of rising defaults, leading to significant declines in bank stocks, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs both down over 7%, indicating instability within the financial sector.
- Economic Data Impact: The US January PPI rose 0.5% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of 0.3%, while the Chicago PMI unexpectedly increased to 57.7, demonstrating economic resilience, although market speculation regarding Fed rate cuts was dampened.
- Rising Oil Prices Pressure: WTI crude oil prices surged over 2% to a 7-month high due to President Trump's pessimistic remarks on Iranian nuclear negotiations, exacerbating geopolitical risks that could further impact airline profits, leading to declines in related stocks.
See More
