February 18, 2026
Mish's Daily
By Mish Schneider
In today’s Mish’s Market Minute video, we break down the current state of real estate and why investors should be paying attention right now.
Real estate has a long-standing relationship with the stock market — sometimes it leads, sometimes it lags — but the connection is always meaningful.
Recent housing data shows prices rising back toward 2024 levels, signaling growing optimism.
However, this is not a full-blown housing boom yet — more like a steady reset as the market adjusts to potentially lower rates and improving economic expectations.
Meanwhile, major homebuilders are moving forward with confidence, building tract homes in anticipation of lower borrowing costs and stronger demand ahead.
That confidence suggests expectations for a better economic backdrop in the coming cycle.
.
The weekly chart of IYR, the Real Estate Investment Trust ETF, tells an equally compelling story.
IYR has cleared its 2025 highs and is currently outperforming the S&P 500 as noted by the Leadership chart featured.
Weekly momentum is improving (as shown in the Real Motion indicator chart).
Still, price remains below the major peaks from 2021 and 2024 — leaving room for potential upside if momentum continues.
Real estate is quietly improving.
The question now: is this the early signal of a bigger move ahead?
.
Note that this is different than our other YouTube channel featuring the Economic Modern Family.
That is for financial literacy.
Mish’s Daily of Mish’s Market Minute on the MarketGauge YouTube channel under “shorts” is meant for the more serious self-directed investor.
They do, however, overlap.
PLEASE, go to our YouTube Channel, watch the content we have shared to date.
👉 Watch. Like. Share. Subscribe.
.
To see our Financial Literacy Animated Series:
The Economic Modern Family is about to step off the page and onto your screen!
👉 Watch. Like. Share. Subscribe.
.
For more detailed trading information about our blended models, tools, and trader education courses, contact Rob Quinn, our Chief Strategy Consultant, to learn more.
-----Get your copy of
Plant Your Money Tree: A Guide to Growing Your Wealth
Grow Your Wealth Today and Plant Your Money Tree!
"I grew my money tree and so can you!"- Mish Schneider
Mish in the Media-Want to see more? All clips here
February 17 Trader Mish Shares a Bitcoin Trading Tip
February 12 A Kind Company Stock Pick
February 11 Financial Compass Uncertainty Hits the Market
February 10 Schwab Network Where We Believe Best Investments Lie
Coming Up:
February 19 Financial Compass and Business First AM (weekly)
February 20 Yahoo Finance
ETF Summary
(Pivotal means short-term bullish above that level and bearish below)
S&P 500 (SPY) While down just a little from the highs, cannot get back over the 50-DMA
Russell 2000 (IWM) 267 eludes our Granddad-that has to clear to keep the party going
Dow (DIA) 496 needs to hold and momentum showing a bit of a bearish divergence
Nasdaq (QQQ) 610 key to clear while momentum gets more bearish
Regional banks (KRE) 68 support to hold but still in good shape
Semiconductors (SMH) Support at 402 and must clear the all-time high 420
Transportation (IYT) 79 Held so good and strong
Biotechnology (IBB) Good consolidation probably means higher in store if holds 170
Retail (XRT) 88 must clear or could see a move down to 85
Bitcoin (BTCUSD) 65k support 70k resistance
Every day you'll be prepared to trade with:
