February 25, 2026 – U.S. stock futures advanced modestly on Tuesday, February 24, recovering from Monday’s broad declines triggered by a viral Citrini Research report warning of AI-driven economic disruption. While concerns linger over white-collar job losses and a potential 2028 recession, positive developments like AMD’s massive AI chip deal with Meta fueled a tech rebound.
The Citrini Research Shockwave
Citrini Research’s “2028 Global Intelligence Crisis” report, framed as a hypothetical from the future, painted a dire picture: AI agents sparking mass white-collar layoffs, unemployment hitting 10.2%, and the S&P 500 crashing 38% from its 2026 peak. It highlighted a “negative feedback loop” where AI boosts productivity but crushes consumer spending as displaced workers cut back, pressuring margins and accelerating automation.
Monday saw the Dow plunge over 800 points, with software stocks like AppLovin, Asana, and Zscaler tumbling amid fears for SaaS and intermediary businesses. The report went viral, amplifying tariff worries under President Trump and snapping the AI hype rally.
Tuesday’s Market Recovery
S&P 500 futures climbed 0.2-0.7% in early trading, Dow futures rose 0.27-0.8%, and Nasdaq futures gained 0.36-1.2% by midday. The rebound gained steam after Tapbit’s real-time price tracker showed AMD surging 9% on a $100B five-year deal with Meta for AI data center chips (1GW this year, scaling to 6GW).
| Index | Monday Drop | Tuesday Gain (Midday) |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | -1%+ | +0.7% |
| Dow Jones | -800+ pts | +0.8% |
| Nasdaq 100 | -1%+ | +1.2% |
Software ETFs like IGV bounced 1.5%, with Salesforce and Adobe up 4% each, as investors viewed the report as speculative rather than imminent.
Looking Ahead
Watch Trump’s address, Fed comments, and AI earnings for cues. While Citrini’s scenario warns of systemic risks, history shows tech disruptions birth winners. Stay informed, trade smart on Tapbit.
Disclaimer: Trading involves risk. Past performance isn’t indicative of future results. DYOR.
