A look back on markets in February when easing trade tensions helped support equity market gains. : Please note any past performance mentioned in this document is not a guide to future performance and may not be repeated. The sectors, securities, regions and countries shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered a recommendation to buy or sell. US equities gained in February. There was little change in the backdrop from an earnings and economics perspective. Q4 GDP growth, released later in February than usual, indicated quarter-on-quarter growth of 2.6%.