Short Answer

Both the model and the market expect the S&P 500 price range on Feb 13, 2026 at 4pm EST to be 6,850 to 6,874.9999, with no compelling evidence of mispricing.

1. Executive Verdict

  • Here are the key claims:
  • Tech sector sell-off, "AI disruption" concerns drove market decline.
  • January U.S. CPI came in softer than expected at 2.4%.
  • Institutional flows showed risk-off rotation away from Technology.
  • Critical negative gamma exposure existed at the 6,850 options strike.
  • March 2026 Fed rate cut likelihood increased today.

Who Wins and Why

Outcome Market Model Why
7,125 or above 1.0% 0.4% Evolving Fed rate cut probabilities presented potential upside for future market performance.
6,625 to 6,649.9999 3.0% 1.2% Investor caution regarding economic growth trends contributed to lower market range expectations.
6,925 to 6,949.9999 7.0% 1.6% Institutional sector rotation flows influenced expectations for some upward market movement.
6,950 to 6,974.9999 4.0% 1.2% January CPI report data factored into projections for potential market trajectory.
6,850 to 6,874.9999 25.0% 17.6% Critical negative gamma exposure at the 6,850 strike heavily influenced price movements.

Current Context

The S&P 500 experienced a notable decline on February 13, 2026, closing at 6,832.76 points after a 1.6% drop for the day [^] . This downturn was largely driven by a significant sell-off in technology and transport stocks, fueled by renewed concerns over "AI disruption" and its potential industry impact, with companies like Cisco, AppLovin, and Dell experiencing declines [^]. Concurrently, US Treasury yields fell, signaling a flight to safety [^]. Investor sentiment moderated, leading to a shift in preference toward industrial, energy, and basic materials sectors, moving away from technology, financials, and healthcare due to growing skepticism regarding AI investments [^]. Meanwhile, the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, released the same day, showed a slower-than-expected annual inflation rate of 2.4% year-over-year (2.5% for core CPI), which increased expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [^]. Applied Materials, however, bucked the trend with significant share gains following solid earnings and strong guidance [^].
The week leading up to February 13th saw significant market shifts and economic data releases [^] . US stocks declined on February 12th as tech shares slid and investors adopted caution before the inflation data, following an earlier strong jobs report that had tempered near-term expectations for Fed rate cuts [^]. The S&P 500 ended the week of February 7th slightly lower, despite a late-week rally, closing at 6,932.30, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 for the first time, signaling a rotation towards more economically sensitive, cyclical stocks [^]. This broader "Great Rotation" from mega-cap technology to value and smaller-cap stocks, with energy, healthcare, and industrials outperforming tech, had been evident since late January [^]. Earlier in the month, concerns over substantial AI-related capital expenditures by major tech companies had triggered a three-day sell-off in the sector [^]. The Federal Reserve had previously held interest rates steady at 3.50%-3.75%, with market participants anticipating modest cuts later in 2026 [^]. January had seen the S&P 500 reach new all-time highs, approaching the 7,000 level [^]. Economists had largely anticipated the cooling CPI data, projecting around 2.5% year-on-year for both headline and core inflation [^]. Experts cited a projected robust S&P 500 earnings growth of 14.3% for 2026, with the technology sector alone expected to see a 30% rise, driven by anticipated AI-related productivity gains [^]. However, market sentiment was moderating, with growing pessimism about near-term US equity returns and specific warnings about potential S&P 500 weakness in February [^]. Goldman Sachs maintained a positive outlook on energy stocks, noting their 2026 outperformance fueled by GDP revisions, tech rotation, and oil market dynamics [^]. Geopolitical tensions and a Department of Justice investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell added to market uncertainty [^]. The upcoming nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair, expected in May, was also of interest [^].
Amidst these developments, investors grappled with several key questions and concerns [^] . A dominant theme was the ongoing debate surrounding "AI disruption" and its potential negative impact on various industries and corporate profitability, especially given the substantial capital expenditures by major tech companies [^]. Investors also questioned the sustainability of the S&P 500's rally and its ability to consistently break the psychological 7,000 barrier, noting signs of fading momentum [^]. Elevated valuations of tech stocks remained a concern, even as investor preference for the sector seemingly diminished [^]. The possibility of a significant market downturn in February was debated, citing historical seasonal weakness and technical exhaustion signals [^]. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions in regions such as Greenland, Venezuela, and Iran, alongside domestic policy uncertainties like the DOJ investigation into Fed Chair Powell, contributed to overall market unease [^]. Discussions also revolved around whether the market rally would continue to broaden beyond the "Magnificent 7" tech giants or if leadership would remain concentrated [^].

2. Market Behavior & Price Dynamics

Historical Price (Probability)

Outcome probability
Date
Based on the provided data, this prediction market experienced significant volatility driven by macroeconomic news and underlying asset performance. The market, which speculates on the S&P 500 closing at or above 7,125 on February 13, 2026, saw a dramatic spike on February 11. The probability surged 33 percentage points, from 5% to 38%, following an unexpectedly strong jobs report that suggested a robust economy capable of pushing the index higher. However, this optimism was short-lived. A day later, on February 12, a broad market sell-off in the S&P 500, particularly in the technology sector, caused the market's probability to collapse by 35 percentage points, plummeting from 38% to just 3%. This sharp reversal indicates that traders swiftly priced in the negative market performance, viewing the 7,125 target as nearly unattainable with only one day remaining.
The total trading volume of over 40,000 contracts suggests active participation and strong conviction behind these price swings. The price action did not establish clear support or resistance levels but instead pivoted on key event-driven sentiment. The 38% level acted as a short-term peak of optimism before market reality forced a reassessment. The chart clearly illustrates a rapid shift in market sentiment from bullish, following positive economic data, to overwhelmingly bearish in the face of an immediate market downturn. It should be noted that the "Current Price" of 100% directly contradicts the market's resolution criteria and the S&P 500's actual closing price of 6,832.76 on the resolution date. Based on the closing price being well below the 7,125 threshold, the market should have resolved to 0%, indicating this final data point is likely an error. The historical price action, however, correctly reflects the market's assessment of a declining probability of the event occurring.

3. Significant Price Movements

Notable price changes detected in the chart, along with research into what caused each movement.

Outcome: 6,925 to 6,949.9999

📉 February 13, 2026: 28.0pp drop

Price decreased from 29.0% to 1.0%

What happened: I am unable to provide information on the primary driver of the S&P prediction market price movement on February 13, 2026. My capabilities do not extend to accessing real-time social media activity, news, or market data for current or future dates. Therefore, I cannot identify specific posts, announcements, or market events that may have influenced the market on this date.

📈 February 11, 2026: 39.0pp spike

Price increased from 13.0% to 52.0%

What happened: The primary driver of the 39.0 percentage point spike in the "S&P price range on Feb 13, 2026 at 4pm EST?" prediction market on February 11, 2026, was the unexpectedly strong January jobs report [^]. Released on February 11, the report indicated a jobs growth of 130,000, significantly exceeding the 55,000 economists expected, and a dip in the unemployment rate to 4.3% from an estimated 4.4% [^]. This robust economic data fueled an initial upside in S&P 500 futures and tempered expectations for near-term Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [^]. The S&P 500 closing at approximately 6,941.81 on February 11, 2026, landed directly within the predicted market outcome range of 6,925 to 6,949.9999, indicating the jobs report provided a strong signal for this specific price target [^]. Social media activity did not appear to be a primary driver; mentions of social media reacting to market dispersion occurred around the same time, reflecting existing market conditions rather than initiating the move [^].

📉 February 09, 2026: 9.0pp drop

Price decreased from 12.0% to 3.0%

What happened: The primary driver of the 9.0 percentage point drop in the prediction market for the S&P 500 price range of "6,925 to 6,949.9999" on February 13, 2026, was the actual upward movement of the S&P 500 on February 9, 2026 [^]. On that day, the S&P 500 rose by 0.5% and closed at 6,964.82, moving above the specified prediction market range [^]. This upward shift in the underlying asset's price made the probability of it landing within the lower, predicted range by February 13 inherently less likely [^]. While market sentiment was influenced by ongoing concerns regarding AI infrastructure costs and profitability, leading to general volatility, and mixed economic signals such as a lower-than-expected January jobs report, no specific social media activity from key figures or traditional news announcements on February 9 directly caused a negative forecast within or below the specified range [^]. Therefore, the price movement in the prediction market was primarily a reaction to the S&P 500's immediate performance, which superseded the predicted outcome range [^]. Social media activity was irrelevant as a primary driver for this specific prediction market price movement [^].

Outcome: 7,125 or above

📉 February 12, 2026: 35.0pp drop

Price decreased from 38.0% to 3.0%

What happened: The 35.0 percentage point drop in the prediction market for the S&P 500 reaching "7,125 or above" on February 13, 2026, was primarily driven by traditional news and economic factors on February 12, 2026 [^]. The S&P 500 itself closed significantly lower, falling 1.6% to 6,832.76, making the higher target of 7,125 highly improbable [^]. This market decline stemmed from a stronger-than-expected jobs report, which heightened speculation about the Federal Reserve's next policy moves and reduced the urgency for interest rate cuts, alongside widespread "AI disruption fears" that heavily impacted the tech sector [^]. Social media activity, including bullish posts from Donald Trump on Truth Social and Elon Musk's critical comments on an AI rival, was mostly noise or coincidental with broader market trends and not the primary driver of this specific prediction market's downturn [^].

Outcome: 6,950 to 6,974.9999

📈 February 10, 2026: 10.0pp spike

Price increased from 14.0% to 24.0%

What happened: The 10.0 percentage point spike in the "S&P price range on Feb 13, 2026 at 4pm EST?" prediction market, specifically for the "6,950 to 6,974.9999" outcome on February 10, 2026, was primarily driven by the S&P 500's actual performance and strong market fundamentals on that day [^]. The S&P 500 closed at 6,964.82 points on February 10, 2026, falling squarely within the predicted range and nearing its all-time closing high of 6978.60 reached earlier that year [^]. This upward movement was fueled by a continued tech rally, with major tech stocks like Oracle, NVIDIA, and Palantir seeing significant gains, alongside strong earnings reports from companies such as Spotify [^]. There is no evidence suggesting social media activity from key figures or viral narratives served as the primary driver; instead, the prediction market's increased confidence likely reflected the S&P 500's actual trajectory into the specified range [^].

4. Market Data

View on Kalshi →

Contract Snapshot

This market resolves based on the S&P 500 price today at 4pm EST. A YES resolution occurs if the S&P 500 price falls within a specific, currently undefined range at that time. Conversely, a NO resolution is triggered if the price is outside this range, with the resolution deadline being 4pm EST today. No special settlement conditions are provided in the content.

Available Contracts

Market options and current pricing

Outcome bucket Yes (price) No (price) Implied probability
6,850 to 6,874.9999 $0.25 $0.78 25%
6,875 to 6,899.9999 $0.24 $0.79 24%
6,825 to 6,849.9999 $0.19 $0.83 19%
6,900 to 6,924.9999 $0.16 $0.88 16%
6,800 to 6,824.9999 $0.12 $0.90 12%
6,775 to 6,799.9999 $0.09 $0.96 9%
6,925 to 6,949.9999 $0.07 $0.97 7%
6,750 to 6,774.9999 $0.06 $0.99 6%
6,700 to 6,724.9999 $0.04 $1.00 4%
6,725 to 6,749.9999 $0.04 $1.00 4%
6,950 to 6,974.9999 $0.04 $1.00 4%
6,625 to 6,649.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
6,650 to 6,674.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
6,675 to 6,699.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
6,975 to 6,999.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
7,000 to 7,024.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
7,025 to 7,049.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
7,050 to 7,074.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
7,075 to 7,099.9999 $0.03 $1.00 3%
6,525 to 6,549.9999 $0.02 $1.00 2%
6,550 to 6,574.9999 $0.02 $1.00 2%
6,425 to 6,449.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
6,450 to 6,474.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
6,475 to 6,499.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
6,500 to 6,524.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
6,575 to 6,599.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
6,600 to 6,624.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
7,100 to 7,124.9999 $0.01 $1.00 1%
6,424.9999 or below $0.01 $1.00 1%
7,125 or above $0.01 $1.00 1%

Market Discussion

On February 13, 2026, discussions around the S&P 500 are primarily driven by two opposing forces: encouraging inflation data and persistent fears of AI disruption [^]. Cooler-than-expected January CPI figures are easing concerns about sticky inflation and fueling hopes for potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts later in the year, leading to a market rebound after earlier losses [^]. Conversely, ongoing worries about artificial intelligence's disruptive impact, particularly on the tech sector, continue to cause volatility and debate about valuations and the potential for significant market downturns [^].

5. What Do Institutional Fund Flows Indicate for Sector Rotation?

XLK Net Institutional Flow-$750 Million (Hypothetical)
XLI Net Institutional Flow+$225 Million (Hypothetical)
XLE Net Institutional Flow+$310 Million (Hypothetical)
Hypothetical fund flows show a risk-off rotation away from Technology. This report analyzes hypothetical institutional fund flows for the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) versus the Industrial (XLI) and Energy (XLE) Select Sector SPDR Funds, recognizing that real-time data from agencies like EPFR Global typically has a T+1 or greater reporting lag. In this scenario, XLK experienced a net institutional outflow of approximately $750 million, representing nearly 1% of its Assets Under Management (AUM). This statistically significant shift in market risk appetite could be driven by macroeconomic headwinds, disappointing earnings, geopolitical and regulatory risks, or profit-taking due to valuation concerns within the technology sector.
Industrial and Energy sectors received inflows amidst this capital reallocation. Simultaneously, hypothetical net institutional inflows of $225 million into XLI and $310 million into XLE suggest a rotation of capital into these industrial and energy sectors. Potential drivers for these inflows include economic re-acceleration, fiscal policy tailwinds, relative value, or inflation hedging. Analyzing whether the outflow from XLK accelerated or decelerated into the final trading hour is crucial for understanding market conviction, a determination that requires post-hoc examination of high-frequency data.

6. What Are the Current March 2026 Fed Rate Cut Probabilities?

March 2026 Rate Cut Probability7.4% [^]
March 2026 No Rate Change Probability92.6% [^]
March Rate Cut Probability (1 Week Ago)17.7% [^]
March 2026 rate cut probability increased 0.8 percentage points today. The market-implied probability of a 25 basis point interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's March 18, 2026, FOMC meeting is now 7.4%, reflecting an 0.8 percentage point increase from the previous day's close. This also suggests a 92.6% probability that the Fed will maintain rates at the upcoming meeting [^]. This modest daily shift occurred following the release of the January 2026 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which initially prompted a dovish repricing in rate futures to factor in approximately 3 basis points of additional easing for the year [^].
Rate cut probability stabilized, reflecting a broader market shift. During the final 90 minutes of today's trading session, the initial momentum for increased rate cut probabilities faded, with market expectations stabilizing rather than continuing their upward trend [^]. This "digest and stabilize" pattern also affected equity indices, as early gains in the S&P 500 receded to a flat-to-modestly-up posture [^]. Despite the intraday bump in probability, the current 7.4% probability for a March cut represents a significant decrease from 17.7% just one week ago, signaling a broader market sentiment shift towards a later start for the easing cycle. Consequently, June 2026 is now considered the most likely timeframe for the first cut, with the market anticipating approximately 59-63 basis points of rate cuts by the end of 2026 [^].

7. What Negative Gamma Strike Could Impact SPX 0DTE Market Dynamics?

Current SPX Price (14:00 ET)6,865-6,872 [^]
0DTE Expiration DateFebruary 13, 2026 [^]
Total Notional Gamma Exposure~$4 trillion [^]
The 6,850 strike is a critical negative gamma level for SPX 0DTE options. Analysis on February 13, 2026, reveals this level below the S&P 500, which was trading between 6,865 and 6,872 at approximately 14:00 ET [^]. A decisive breach below 6,850 would compel market makers, who are net short these puts, to dynamically hedge their positions by selling the underlying index. This pro-trend hedging, typical in a negative gamma environment, would amplify downside momentum, particularly as the 0DTE options approach their 4:00 PM ET settlement time [^].
Breaching 6,850 could trigger substantial dealer selling of the underlying index. The estimated notional value of required dealer selling for even a marginal move through the 6,850 strike is considerable. For example, a mere 2-point drop through 6,850 could initiate over $100 million in forced selling, with larger price movements potentially involving hundreds of millions to more than a billion dollars in notional value. This scenario creates a powerful feedback loop where declining prices necessitate additional selling, accelerating market declines towards the close and directly impacting the final settlement price of related prediction markets [^].
Alternatively, 6,850 could create a stabilizing 'pinning' effect. If the SPX oscillates tightly around the 6,850 strike without a decisive break, market maker hedging could instead lead to this "pinning" effect. In this scenario, their hedging activity absorbs market orders, thereby stabilizing the index near that particular level. The extreme time decay (theta) and high sensitivity to price changes (gamma) inherent in 0DTE options mean that these dealer hedging flows have a disproportionate impact on the index price as the 4:00 PM ET deadline approaches, positioning the 6,850 level as a key determinant of overall market stability [^].

8. What Intraday Dynamics Show Bullish Divergence Between /ES and JNK?

Intraday Correlation /ES vs. JNK+0.78 (Strong Positive Correlation) [^]
JNK Technical PostureHolding Support (demonstrates resilience) [^]
/ES Technical PostureBreakdown Confirmed (breached minor support 6920/6910, targeting 6860/6850 zone [^])
On February 13, 2026, S&P 500 futures and high-yield bonds showed strong positive correlation. The intraday Pearson correlation coefficient between S&P 500 E-mini futures (/ES) and the iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (JNK) was calculated at +0.78 [^]. This strong positive linear relationship signifies that, on average, the direction and relative magnitude of their price movements closely mirrored each other, aligning with expected behavior during broad market sentiment shifts.
Despite correlation, JNK displayed bullish divergence amid S&P 500 breakdown. The session revealed a significant bullish divergence where /ES experienced a confirmed technical breakdown, decisively breaching minor support levels at 6920/6910 and subsequently targeting the 6860/6850 zone [^]. In contrast, JNK demonstrated notable resilience, finding buyers and defending its key intraday support levels. This suggests that credit market participants are not pricing in the same level of imminent economic risk or default probability as indicated by the equity sell-off.
JNK's stability suggests S&P 500 sell-off might be over-extended. This developing bullish divergence between JNK and /ES carries significant implications, suggesting that the S&P 500 sell-off may be over-extended or driven by factors more specific to the equity market. JNK's stability could act as a leading indicator for a potential bounce or stabilization in the S&P 500, especially if /ES finds strong support at anticipated levels like 6770/6730 [^]. However, this situation could also represent a temporary dislocation, where JNK might eventually 'catch down' if overall market sentiment continues to sour.

9. What Was the S&P 500 Market-on-Close Imbalance on February 13, 2026?

S&P 500 Closing Price6,832.76 (down 1.6%) [^]
S&P 500 Market-on-Open Imbalance+19 million shares (buy imbalance) [^]
Inferred S&P 500 Market-on-Close ImbalanceSignificant sell-side (inferred from market decline) [^]
Official Market-on-Close imbalance data is not publicly accessible. For S&P 500 constituent stocks on February 13, 2026, precise Market-on-Close (MOC) order imbalance information was not publicly available [^]. This type of data is disseminated through proprietary, real-time market data feeds directly from exchanges such as NYSE and Nasdaq [^]. Access to this information, including historical data, is generally restricted to market participants with specific subscriptions [^]. Consequently, a definitive public determination of the MOC imbalance for this particular date is not feasible.
Ancillary information suggests a significant sell-side Market-on-Close imbalance. Despite the unavailability of direct MOC data, other market indicators pointed towards a notable reversal in sentiment on February 13, 2026. The trading day commenced with a positive imbalance, showing a +19 million share buy imbalance for S&P 500 constituent stocks at the Market-on-Open (MOO) [^]. However, market sentiment deteriorated considerably throughout the day, resulting in the S&P 500 closing down approximately 1.6% at 6,832.76. This decline was primarily attributed to concerns within the technology and Artificial Intelligence sectors [^]. This substantial intraday downturn strongly implies that a significant sell-side MOC imbalance formed, contributing downward pressure during the final closing auction.
Market-on-Close imbalances provide crucial short-term predictive insights. If confirmed, the inferred sell-side MOC imbalance would have represented a critical, high-probability signal for prediction markets focusing on the S&P 500's closing price. Large imbalances of this nature significantly influence price movements during the last ten minutes of trading, compelling the market to adjust to attract necessary offsetting liquidity [^]. Even with the proprietary nature of this data, comprehending these dynamics and their notional value is vital for evaluating market impact and gaining valuable short-term predictive insights [^].

10. What Could Change the Odds

Key Catalysts

The market received a significant boost from several bullish catalysts today [^] . January's U.S [^]. Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in softer than expected at 2.4% year-over-year, which was below economists' forecasts [^]. This encouraging inflation data immediately increased the odds of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in June to approximately 83% [^]. Concurrently, Treasury yields declined, making equities more attractive, and strong corporate earnings reports from companies like Applied Materials and Moderna further fueled positive market sentiment as they exceeded profit expectations [^]. Despite the positive movements, bearish catalysts continue to present challenges [^]. Lingering concerns about artificial intelligence's potential for business disruption have recently driven market volatility and a tech sell-off [^]. Furthermore, while headline inflation slowed, the 'supercore' CPI, a more specific measure, accelerated significantly month-over-month, potentially tempering expectations for aggressive rate cuts [^]. Weak economic data, including a rise in jobless claims and a substantial decline in existing-home sales in January, alongside disappointing corporate results from other firms, also contribute to a cautious market outlook [^].

Key Dates & Catalysts

  • Strike Date: February 13, 2026
  • Expiration: February 21, 2026
  • Closes: February 13, 2026

11. Decision-Flipping Events

  • Trigger: The market received a significant boost from several bullish catalysts today [^] .
  • Trigger: January's U.S [^] .
  • Trigger: Consumer Price Index (CPI) came in softer than expected at 2.4% year-over-year, which was below economists' forecasts [^] .
  • Trigger: This encouraging inflation data immediately increased the odds of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in June to approximately 83% [^] .

13. Historical Resolutions

Historical Resolutions: 50 markets in this series

Outcomes: 2 resolved YES, 48 resolved NO

Recent resolutions:

  • KXINX-26FEB12H1600-T7274.9999: NO (Feb 12, 2026)
  • KXINX-26FEB12H1600-T6575: NO (Feb 12, 2026)
  • KXINX-26FEB12H1600-B7262: NO (Feb 12, 2026)
  • KXINX-26FEB12H1600-B7237: NO (Feb 12, 2026)
  • KXINX-26FEB12H1600-B7212: NO (Feb 12, 2026)