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Forex Signals Feb 12: AMAT, ANET, Unilever, BUD, BTI and Airbnb ABNB Earnings Preview
Anheuser-Busch, Unilever, Arista Networks, and Applied Materials Today's earnings calendar, which covers semiconductors, networking...
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Last updated: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Quick overview
- Today's earnings calendar features major companies including Applied Materials, Unilever, and Airbnb, highlighting diverse sectors such as semiconductors and consumer staples.
- The latest non-farm payrolls report exceeded expectations, leading to an initial surge in the U.S. dollar, although skepticism about job growth tempered the gains.
- U.S. equity futures initially rallied on strong job data, but tech stocks faced selling pressure, indicating a shift away from high-growth sectors.
- In commodities, gold experienced fluctuations while Bitcoin and Ethereum showed mixed performance, reflecting ongoing volatility in the cryptocurrency market.
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MARKETS TREND
Anheuser-Busch, Unilever, Arista Networks, and Applied Materials Today’s earnings calendar, which covers semiconductors, networking, consumer staples, tobacco, and travel, is led by InBev, British American Tobacco, and Airbnb.
Super-Strong NFP Sparks Initial Dollar Surge
The latest non-farm payrolls report came in significantly stronger than expected, surprising markets. The data was accompanied by a decline in the unemployment rate, reinforcing the perception of labor market resilience.
The immediate reaction followed a familiar pattern: aggressive U.S. dollar buying.
- EUR/USD dropped sharply from 1.1900 to 1.1835 in a straight move lower.
- USD/JPY jumped roughly one full cent.
The strength in the headline number triggered broad USD bids across major pairs.
Skepticism Tempers the Move
However, the initial reaction quickly lost momentum. Some market participants questioned whether employment is truly re-accelerating.
This report followed five weaker employment readings across various indicators, making the sudden strength difficult to reconcile. At the same time, the gains were once again concentrated in health care and education, sectors that have consistently driven hiring.
Whether due to skepticism about the sustainability of job growth or broader positioning dynamics, the U.S. dollar later gave back much of its gains.
Equities Rally, Then Tech Weakness Returns
U.S. equity futures initially rallied on the strong NFP headline, even as Treasury yields moved higher. The combination of solid job growth and rising yields typically reflects confidence in economic momentum.
Yet the optimism faded during the session. Software and broader tech stocks were sold aggressively once again, continuing a pattern of capital rotation away from high-growth U.S. technology names.
There appears to be a persistent shift out of U.S. tech, which may be limiting sustained dollar strength—even on days when macro data would normally provide strong support.
Meanwhile, “old economy” stocks outperformed.
- Caterpillar rose 4%.
- Energy stocks broadly moved higher.
The rotation toward industrials and cyclicals remained a defining theme.
Commodities and Crypto Mixed
In commodities, gold strengthened the previous day, while silver advanced to $84. Bitcoin declined 2%, continuing to consolidate around the $67,000 level as it trades in a choppy range.
Key Market Events to Watch Today: Key Corporate Reports to Watch
Today’s earnings slate covers cyclical tech leaders (Applied Materials, Arista), global consumer staples giants (Unilever, Anheuser-Busch InBev, British American Tobacco), and travel platform Airbnb.
The key theme across sectors is forward guidance. With markets increasingly sensitive to capital spending, margin pressure, and consumer demand durability, investor reactions may hinge less on headline beats and more on 2026 outlook commentary.
Key Corporate Reports to Watch Today
AMAT – Applied Materials, Inc.
- Event: Q1 2026 Earnings Announcement
- Timing: After Market Close (AMC)
- EPS Estimate: $2.21
- Market Cap: ~$269.77B
What to Watch:
- Semiconductor equipment demand trends, particularly tied to AI and advanced-node chip production.
- Order backlog and forward guidance, especially in logic and memory segments.
- Commentary on China exposure and export restrictions.
- Margins amid cyclical recovery signals in wafer fabrication equipment (WFE).
Market Sensitivity:
- As a bellwether for chip capex cycles, AMAT’s results often influence broader semiconductor sentiment.
ANET – Arista Networks, Inc.
- Event: Q4 2025 Earnings Announcement
- Timing: After Market Close (AMC)
- EPS Estimate: $0.76
- Market Cap: ~$177.13B
What to Watch:
- AI-related data center demand and hyperscaler spending trends.
- Cloud titan capex outlook (Microsoft, Meta, Google exposure).
- Gross margin stability amid rising competition.
- Forward revenue growth guidance into 2026.
Market Sensitivity:
- Arista is closely tied to AI infrastructure expansion; any slowdown in enterprise or cloud orders could trigger volatility.
UL – Unilever PLC
- Event: H2 2025 Earnings Announcement
- Timing: Before Market Open (BMO)
- Market Cap: ~$160.21B
What to Watch:
- Organic sales growth and pricing power in a mixed consumer environment.
- Emerging market demand resilience.
- Margin trends amid commodity cost fluctuations.
- Updates on restructuring and portfolio optimization.
Market Sensitivity:
- Defensive staple exposure may attract attention if broader equity volatility persists.
BUD – Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
- Event: Q4 2025 Earnings Announcement
- Timing: Before Market Open (BMO)
- EPS Estimate: $0.88
- Market Cap: ~$150.14B
What to Watch:
- Volume trends in North America following prior brand disruptions.
- Emerging market beer demand recovery.
- Debt reduction progress and cash flow stability.
- Pricing strategy and premium product mix.
Market Sensitivity:
- Investor focus remains on margin recovery and brand repositioning effectiveness.
BTI – British American Tobacco p.l.c.
- Event: H2 2025 Earnings Announcement
- Timing: TNS (Time Not Specified)
- Market Cap: ~$130.87B
What to Watch:
- Combustible volume declines versus growth in next-generation products (vapes, heated tobacco).
- Regulatory developments across key markets.
- Cash flow strength and dividend sustainability.
- Currency impact on reported earnings.
Market Sensitivity:
- Income-focused investors will closely monitor guidance and capital allocation signals.
ABNB – Airbnb, Inc.
- Event: Q4 2025 Earnings Announcement
- Timing: After Market Close (AMC)
- EPS Estimate: $0.66
- Market Cap: ~$73.19B
What to Watch:
- Gross booking value and international travel demand.
- Pricing trends and host growth.
- Operating margin stability amid marketing investments.
- 2026 travel outlook and macro sensitivity.
Market Sensitivity:
- Airbnb’s guidance may shape sentiment around discretionary consumer spending.
Gold Resumes the Decline Again As Safe Havens Lose Status
Although demand for safe haven assets is still high, gold fell precipitously from record highs following the Fed’s most recent rate cut comments, as profit-taking was prompted by Powell’s cautious tone. In December, gold jumped above $4.3800 following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 25 basis point rate decrease. But the impetus soon waned, and prices dropped back to $4,004. The 20 daily SMA (gray) held as support last week and buyers returned and pushed XAU above the $5,000 mark for the first time during Asian hours and extended the rally in New York, printing a fresh record high near $5,111 before retreating below $5,000 late in the session. But buyers returned and XAU climbed to $5,598 but pulled back below $5,000 again.
USD/JPY Returns Back Down
Foreign exchange markets saw sharp swings. Early in the week, U.S. yield differentials and Japanese capital outflows pushed the dollar above ¥150, but disappointing U.S. jobs data triggered profit-taking, causing the USD/JPY to slide by four yen from its peak. However, the new BOJ governor the JPY has weakened and USD/JPY soared to 154 and we decided to close our buy signal for more than 80 pips as the pair found support at the 20 daily SMA (gray) and has rebounded more than 200 pips off that MA but reversed after the 25 bps rate cut from the FED. The price approached $160 but reversed after the BOJ meeting and fell 8 cents but found support at $152 at the 100 daily SMA (red) and rebounded above 156 but have reversed down again this week after the Japanese elections.
USD/JPY – Daily Chart
Cryptocurrency Update
Bitcoin Returns Under $70K
Cryptocurrencies remained highly active over the summer. Bitcoin (BTC) climbed to fresh highs of $123,000 and $124,000 in July and August, supported by institutional inflows and technical strength. However, remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruling out U.S. increases to BTC reserves triggered a steep pullback, sending the coin down to $80K before finding support at the 100 weekly SMA (green). A rebound followed, sending BTC near $100 is the first major text for Bitcoin buyers. However BTC returned lower and fell below $80K, breaking below the but the 100 weekly SMA (green) but the decline stopped at the $60K support where the 200 weekly SM A(purpe) stands and rebounded above $70K.
BTC/USD – Weekly Chart
Ethereum Slips Below $2,000
Ethereum (ETH) has been similarly strong, surging toward $4,800, its highest since 2021 and near its all-time peak of $4,860. Despite a dip last week, ETH found support at the 20-day SMA, with retail enthusiasm and renewed institutional participation driving fresh upside momentum. Last week we saw a dive below $2,000 but buyers returned n d pushed the price above $2K again.
ETH/USD – Weekly Chart
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst.
Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.
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