February Market Review and Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 28 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CRWD?
Source: CNBC
- Nvidia Stock Decline: Despite Nvidia reporting a strong quarter and even stronger forward guidance, its shares fell 7.3% in February, primarily due to concerns about whether its major clients can sustain their capital expenditure plans, which negatively impacted investor confidence.
- Tech Sector Downturn: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped 0.4% and nearly 1% respectively, with monthly declines of nearly 1% for the S&P 500 and 3.4% for the Nasdaq marking the worst performance since March 2025, highlighting the disruptive impact of AI on the market.
- Geopolitical Market Influence: The future direction of the markets may hinge on geopolitical developments, particularly regarding Iran, as President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the nuclear deal negotiations, potentially increasing market uncertainty, even as oil prices have risen about 17% year to date.
- Upcoming Earnings Reports: Next week will see Berkshire Hathaway's first earnings report under new CEO Greg Abel, alongside earnings from Norwegian Cruise Line and Target, with market expectations high for these companies' performances in a competitive retail landscape.
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Analyst Views on CRWD
Wall Street analysts forecast CRWD stock price to rise
34 Analyst Rating
23 Buy
11 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 452.380
Low
353.00
Averages
559.71
High
640.00
Current: 452.380
Low
353.00
Averages
559.71
High
640.00
About CRWD
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. is a global cybersecurity company that provides cloud-delivered protection of endpoints, cloud workloads, identity and data. Its Falcon platform is designed for cybersecurity consolidation, purpose-built to stop breaches. The platforms collect and integrate data from across the enterprise, including endpoints, cloud workloads, identities, and third-party sources. It offers 29 cloud modules on its Falcon platform via a software as a service (SaaS) subscription-based model that spans multiple large markets, including corporate endpoint and cloud workload security, managed security services, security and vulnerability management, information technology (IT) operations management, identity protection, next-generation security information and event management (SIEM) and log management, threat intelligence services, data protection, SaaS security posture management, automation and response (SOAR) and artificial intelligence powered workflow automation, and others.
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.
CrowdStrike Positioned for Massive Growth in Cybersecurity Market
- Strong Market Demand: CrowdStrike's total addressable market is projected to reach approximately $149 billion by 2026 and double to $325 billion by 2030, indicating a highly optimistic long-term demand outlook for cybersecurity services, particularly driven by AI advancements.
- AI Technology Advantage: Since its founding in 2011, CrowdStrike has focused on machine learning and AI, enabling its cybersecurity systems to learn and adapt to new threats, which provides a significant competitive edge against AI-driven cybersecurity threats.
- Acquisition to Expand Market: CrowdStrike has announced plans to acquire browser runtime security specialist Seraphic Security and identity management solutions expert SIGNL, which will further enhance its market share and strengthen its position in cloud security and identity protection services.
- Financial Performance Expectations: CrowdStrike anticipates sales between $5.87 billion and $5.93 billion for the fiscal year, and while its current stock price is about 92 times expected earnings, its strong competitive advantages and vast addressable market suggest continued growth potential ahead.
See More
Intel's Data Center Surge Rewrites Business Narrative
- Earnings Beat: Intel reported an adjusted EPS of $0.29, significantly surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $0.01, with revenue reaching $13.6 billion, a 7% year-over-year increase that exceeded expectations by over $1 billion, indicating a remarkable financial turnaround amidst challenges.
- Data Center Growth: The Data Center and AI segment saw a 22% revenue surge to $5.1 billion, reflecting strong demand from hyperscalers for server CPUs, which positions Intel favorably in the rapidly growing AI market.
- Margin Improvement: Non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 41%, driven by better pricing strategies and improvements in manufacturing processes, showcasing the company's success in cost control and product pricing.
- Restored Market Confidence: Intel's robust performance not only enhances investor confidence in its future prospects but may also enable the company to capture more market share in the highly competitive semiconductor industry, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing investments in AI and data centers.
See More
WHITE HOUSE DISCUSSIONS ON MYTHOS TODAY YIELDED NO COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION, BUT TALKS CONTINUE - CNBC'S SEEMA MODY ON X
White House Meeting: A recent meeting at the White House focused on addressing myths, but did not lead to an overarching solution.
Ongoing Discussions: Discussions surrounding the topic are still ongoing, indicating that the issue remains unresolved.
See More
Investment Opportunities in Uber and CrowdStrike
- Uber's Autonomous Driving Potential: Uber's partnerships with over 20 companies to develop self-driving cars are expected to transform its financial performance; if all vehicles were autonomous, Uber could save $85.4 billion previously paid to human drivers, significantly boosting revenue and profitability.
- Market Size Expectations: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi believes that autonomous solutions represent a multi-trillion-dollar market opportunity, making Uber's stock a potentially great long-term investment as the technology matures.
- CrowdStrike's Revenue Growth: CrowdStrike reported $5.2 billion in annual recurring revenue at the end of its 2025 fiscal year, a 24% increase year-over-year, with Falcon Flex contributing $1.7 billion and growing at an impressive 120%, indicating strong demand for its subscription model.
- Future Growth Outlook: CrowdStrike anticipates its overall annual recurring revenue will grow by 284% to $20 billion by fiscal 2036, suggesting that long-term investors could benefit from the recent dip in its stock price.
See More
U.S. Stocks Decline Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Earnings Strength
- Geopolitical Tensions: Stalled peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have led to rising oil prices, raising fresh concerns about inflation and global economic growth, as investors balance strong corporate earnings against geopolitical uncertainties.
- Earnings Performance: Verizon (VZ) reported a better-than-expected Q1, while Domino's Pizza (DPZ) posted disappointing results and announced an additional $1 billion share repurchase program, highlighting the varied market reactions to different companies.
- Acquisition Activity: Shell (SHEL) agreed to acquire ARC Resources (AETUF) for C$32.80 per share, while China blocked Meta's (META) acquisition of AI startup Manus, reflecting the complexities of the global M&A landscape.
- Market Index Fluctuations: Near midday, the Dow was down 0.25%, the Nasdaq down 0.28%, and the S&P 500 down 0.14%, indicating the market's sensitive response to geopolitical tensions and economic data.
See More
US Stocks Fluctuate Slightly, Tech Stocks Reach New All-Time Highs
- Tech Stock Surge: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices rose by 0.12% and 0.01% respectively on Monday, reaching all-time highs, reflecting strong market optimism regarding AI infrastructure demand, which is expected to boost technology earnings.
- Oil Price Impact: WTI crude oil prices surged over 2%, exerting downward pressure on the market as President Trump canceled negotiations with Iran, raising inflation expectations that could affect the broader economic landscape.
- Rising Treasury Yields: The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.337% due to rising inflation expectations from higher oil prices, with markets anticipating the Fed will keep rates unchanged this week while awaiting further developments in oil prices and inflation.
- Health Insurance Stocks Rally: Health insurance stocks such as Centene, Elevance Health, and Humana all rose over 3% on Monday, providing support to the overall market and demonstrating resilience in the sector amid the current economic environment.
See More
CrowdStrike Positioned for Massive Growth in Cybersecurity Market
- Strong Market Demand: CrowdStrike's total addressable market is projected to reach approximately $149 billion by 2026 and double to $325 billion by 2030, indicating a highly optimistic long-term demand outlook for cybersecurity services, particularly driven by AI advancements.
- AI Technology Advantage: Since its founding in 2011, CrowdStrike has focused on machine learning and AI, enabling its cybersecurity systems to learn and adapt to new threats, which provides a significant competitive edge against AI-driven cybersecurity threats.
- Acquisition to Expand Market: CrowdStrike has announced plans to acquire browser runtime security specialist Seraphic Security and identity management solutions expert SIGNL, which will further enhance its market share and strengthen its position in cloud security and identity protection services.
- Financial Performance Expectations: CrowdStrike anticipates sales between $5.87 billion and $5.93 billion for the fiscal year, and while its current stock price is about 92 times expected earnings, its strong competitive advantages and vast addressable market suggest continued growth potential ahead.
See More
Intel's Data Center Surge Rewrites Business Narrative
- Earnings Beat: Intel reported an adjusted EPS of $0.29, significantly surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $0.01, with revenue reaching $13.6 billion, a 7% year-over-year increase that exceeded expectations by over $1 billion, indicating a remarkable financial turnaround amidst challenges.
- Data Center Growth: The Data Center and AI segment saw a 22% revenue surge to $5.1 billion, reflecting strong demand from hyperscalers for server CPUs, which positions Intel favorably in the rapidly growing AI market.
- Margin Improvement: Non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 41%, driven by better pricing strategies and improvements in manufacturing processes, showcasing the company's success in cost control and product pricing.
- Restored Market Confidence: Intel's robust performance not only enhances investor confidence in its future prospects but may also enable the company to capture more market share in the highly competitive semiconductor industry, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing investments in AI and data centers.
See More
WHITE HOUSE DISCUSSIONS ON MYTHOS TODAY YIELDED NO COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION, BUT TALKS CONTINUE - CNBC'S SEEMA MODY ON X
White House Meeting: A recent meeting at the White House focused on addressing myths, but did not lead to an overarching solution.
Ongoing Discussions: Discussions surrounding the topic are still ongoing, indicating that the issue remains unresolved.
See More
Investment Opportunities in Uber and CrowdStrike
- Uber's Autonomous Driving Potential: Uber's partnerships with over 20 companies to develop self-driving cars are expected to transform its financial performance; if all vehicles were autonomous, Uber could save $85.4 billion previously paid to human drivers, significantly boosting revenue and profitability.
- Market Size Expectations: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi believes that autonomous solutions represent a multi-trillion-dollar market opportunity, making Uber's stock a potentially great long-term investment as the technology matures.
- CrowdStrike's Revenue Growth: CrowdStrike reported $5.2 billion in annual recurring revenue at the end of its 2025 fiscal year, a 24% increase year-over-year, with Falcon Flex contributing $1.7 billion and growing at an impressive 120%, indicating strong demand for its subscription model.
- Future Growth Outlook: CrowdStrike anticipates its overall annual recurring revenue will grow by 284% to $20 billion by fiscal 2036, suggesting that long-term investors could benefit from the recent dip in its stock price.
See More
U.S. Stocks Decline Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Earnings Strength
- Geopolitical Tensions: Stalled peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have led to rising oil prices, raising fresh concerns about inflation and global economic growth, as investors balance strong corporate earnings against geopolitical uncertainties.
- Earnings Performance: Verizon (VZ) reported a better-than-expected Q1, while Domino's Pizza (DPZ) posted disappointing results and announced an additional $1 billion share repurchase program, highlighting the varied market reactions to different companies.
- Acquisition Activity: Shell (SHEL) agreed to acquire ARC Resources (AETUF) for C$32.80 per share, while China blocked Meta's (META) acquisition of AI startup Manus, reflecting the complexities of the global M&A landscape.
- Market Index Fluctuations: Near midday, the Dow was down 0.25%, the Nasdaq down 0.28%, and the S&P 500 down 0.14%, indicating the market's sensitive response to geopolitical tensions and economic data.
See More
US Stocks Fluctuate Slightly, Tech Stocks Reach New All-Time Highs
- Tech Stock Surge: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices rose by 0.12% and 0.01% respectively on Monday, reaching all-time highs, reflecting strong market optimism regarding AI infrastructure demand, which is expected to boost technology earnings.
- Oil Price Impact: WTI crude oil prices surged over 2%, exerting downward pressure on the market as President Trump canceled negotiations with Iran, raising inflation expectations that could affect the broader economic landscape.
- Rising Treasury Yields: The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.337% due to rising inflation expectations from higher oil prices, with markets anticipating the Fed will keep rates unchanged this week while awaiting further developments in oil prices and inflation.
- Health Insurance Stocks Rally: Health insurance stocks such as Centene, Elevance Health, and Humana all rose over 3% on Monday, providing support to the overall market and demonstrating resilience in the sector amid the current economic environment.
See More
