What happened in the Alexander Cashford case?

Two teenagers were found guilty of manslaughter in the killing of Alexander Cashford at Leysdown-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey. Reports say footage of the attack was shared on social media minutes after. The case has focused attention on faster removals and youth protections under the UK Online Safety Act.

How could the UK Online Safety Act affect Big Tech stocks?

It sets duties to tackle illegal content, protect minors, and assess risks. Ofcom can seek fines up to 10% of global turnover and order systemic changes. This can lift moderation and compliance costs, slow feature rollouts, and raise legal exposure, pressuring margins and valuations for ad-driven platforms.

What are today’s key technical signals on ^NDX?

Price is 24,740.52, up 0.21%. RSI is 40.75. MACD is -160.12 with a -82.87 histogram. ADX is 19.08, signaling a weak trend. Bollinger middle band is 25,334.50 and lower band is 24,499.20, framing resistance and possible support. Momentum is soft, so bounces may stall near the mid-band.

What should UK investors watch next?

Track Ofcom consultations, enforcement steps, and any legal cases testing platform duties. Watch earnings from large ad platforms for signals on moderation costs and ad yield. For levels, note 25,334.50 as mid-band resistance and 24,499.20 as support. Policy headlines tied to Alexander Cashford can drive short-term volatility.

Law and Government

^NDX Today, February 17: Cashford Case Revives UK Online Safety Risk

ByHuzaifa Zahoor February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

Alexander Cashford’s killing, and reports that video of the attack circulated minutes later, has reignited debate on UK online harms. For UK investors, this case matters. Tougher enforcement under the UK Online Safety Act could increase social media liability and compliance costs for Big Tech, a major weight in the Nasdaq 100 (^NDX). Today, ^NDX trades at 24,740.52, up 0.21%, while momentum cools. We explain the legal context, why this matters for tech valuations, and the signals to watch.