Trending tickers: Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks, BAE Systems and Glencore

The latest investor updates on stocks that are trending on Wednesday 

Vicky McKeever · Business reporter

Wed 18 February 2026 at 5:52 pm GMT+9 4 min read

In this article:

PANW

-2.07%

BAESF

+3.80%

BAESY

+1.58%

META

-0.08%

GLEN.L

+3.31%

Nvidia (NVDA)

Chipmaker Nvidia (NVDA) announced an expanded multiyear strategic partnership with Facebook-parent Meta (META) on Tuesday.

The agreement will see Nvidia (NVDA) provide Meta with millions of its Blackwell and Rubin GPUs [graphics processing units], as well as its CPUs [central processing units] and networking offerings.

The plan calls for Meta (META) to use the products within its data centres for both training and running AI models.

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that Meta had handed Nvidia “a massive vote of confidence”, adding that “this is about as close to a full endorsement as it gets in the AI arms race”.

“No dollar figure was given, and the real benefits will likely pull through in 2027 and beyond,” he said. “But with Meta’s AI capex budget at up to $135bn (£99.5bn) this year alone, this multi-year commitment is likely worth tens, potentially hundreds, of billions of dollars.”

Nvidia (NVDA) shares were up 1.3% at the time of writing in pre-market trading on Wednesday, while Meta’s (META) stock climbed nearly 1%.

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184.97 +2.19 (+1.20%)

At close: 17 February at 16:00:01 GMT-5

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Palo Alto Networks (PANW)

Shares in cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks (PANW) slid more than 7% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, after the company cut its earnings outlook for the year.

In second-quarter results, released late on Tuesday, Palo Alto (PANW) said that it now expected adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to be in the range of $3.65 to $3.70 for the year, down from previous guidance of $3.80 to $3.90.

However, the company raised its total revenue guidance to between $11.28bn to $11.31bn for the 2026 fiscal year, up from a previous forecast of $10.50bn to $10.54bn.

**Read more: **Stock market sectors that could be more vulnerable to AI disruption

For the second quarter, Palo Alto (PANW) posted adjusted EPS of $1.03, which topped consensus estimates on FactSet of $0.94, according to an MT Newswires report.

Meanwhile, revenue of $2.59bn for the three months to the end of January, was also higher than expectations of $2.58bn.

For the third quarter, Palo Alto (PANW) said that it expected to report total revenue of $2.941bn to $2.945bn, and adjusted EPS of $0.78 to $0.80.

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163.50 -3.45 (-2.07%)

At close: 17 February at 16:00:01 GMT-5

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BAE Systems (BA.L)

On the UK’s FTSE 100 (^FTSE), shares in BAE Systems (BA.L) surged 5%, after the defence firm reported a strong set of annual results.

In preliminary results, released on Wednesday morning, BAE (BA.L) posted 10% growth in sales for the year to £30.67bn ($41.6bn) and underlying EPS increased 12% to 75.2p.

For the year ahead, BAE (BA.L) said it expected sales to increase 7% to 9% on this year’s figure and forecast 9% to 11% growth in underlying EPS.

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Read more: UK inflation falls to lowest since March 2025

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: “BAE is basking in the increasing heat of geopolitical tensions with a set of results which have comfortably blown past estimates.”

“The group upped its guidance at the halfway stage, reiterated the numbers at its third quarter update and has now delivered for the full year – and then some,” he said.

“Revenues and the order book both reached record levels, reflecting the unfortunate sign of the times that defence stocks are squarely back in fashion, as governments around the world look to protect their interests and lands from growing tensions,” Hunter added. "For shareholders, however, this has resulted in significant rewards.

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2,085.02 +56.02 (+2.76%)

As of 8:49:17 GMT. Market open.

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Glencore (GLEN.L)

Another UK blue-chip which reported on Wednesday morning was miner Glencore (GLEN.L), with shares climbing 2.6% despite the firm reporting a fall in core earnings.

The company reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $13.5bn for the year, which was 6% lower than 2024.

Glencore’s (GLEN.L) revenue for the year came in at $247.54bn, which was 7% higher than in 2024.

Adam Vettese, market analyst at eToro, said: “Glencore has delivered one of those classic mixed mining updates, indicating the company is better under the bonnet than the headline numbers suggest."

He said that the dip in core earnings came as “weaker coal prices offset record copper, but the second half showed a clear improvement and the trading arm once again provided a solid cushion.”

“Management is trying to keep both income and growth investors onside with $2bn of shareholder returns, while continuing to talk up a copper led growth story that taps directly into the energy transition theme," he added. “Although, Glencore also still leans heavily on coal cash flows at a time when ESG pressure is only going one way.”

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502.10 +16.10 (+3.31%)

As of 8:49:20 GMT. Market open.

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Read more:

**House prices in Britain hold steady in February**

**How couples can benefit from joint financial planning**

**UK unemployment reaches five-year high and wage growth continues to slow**

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