News•Feb 14, 2026
Saudi Arabia Appoints New Investment Minister
Saudi Arabia has appointed Fahad Al‑Saif as the new investment minister, replacing Khalid Al‑Falih who moves to a minister‑of‑state role. Al‑Saif previously led the Investment Strategy and Economic Insights Division at the Public Investment Fund, shaping long‑term capital allocation. The reshuffle coincides with Riyadh’s push to channel more private‑sector capital into large‑scale projects. Additional appointments include vice‑ministers for media and tourism, underscoring a broader governance overhaul.
By MEED (Middle East)
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Yen Poised for New 2025 Lows Amid
The Yen will keep falling in trade weighted terms in 2025 and make new lows. Two reasons: (i) Japan remains in denial on the scale of its debt and what's needed to fix this; (ii) the Yen will be falling...
By Robin Brooks
Social•Feb 14, 2026
AI Threat Looms Over $3.5T Credit Market
Credit markets could be the next AI casualty. A UBS analyst flags the $3.5T leveraged loan and private credit space as vulnerable, with AI disruption moving faster than expected. Up to $120B in fresh defaults this year would turn the AI boom...
By Spiros Margaris
News•Feb 14, 2026
SWPC Rebrands as Sharakat to Reinforce PPP Focus
Saudi Water Partnership Company has rebranded as Sharakat to underscore its expanding public‑private partnership (PPP) role in the kingdom’s water sector. The change aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Privatisation Strategy, which aims to secure more than $64 bn in private‑capital water...
By MEED (Middle East)
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Global Data Week: FOMC Minutes to RBA Jobs
Buckle up! Its going to be a VERY Busy Data Week ahead👇 🇺🇸 US -FOMC Minutes -Q4 GDP -Empire State & Philly Fed 🇪🇺 EZ -IP -ZEW -PMIs 🇬🇧 UK -Jobs -Retail Sales -CPI -PMIs 🇯🇵 JP CPI & GDP 🇨🇦 CA -CPI -Retail Sales -Trade 🇳🇿 NZ -RBNZ -PSI -PPI 🇦🇺 AU -RBA MINUTES -JOBS -PMIS
By Kathy Lien
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Warsh Fed Expected to Slash Rates 100bps, Dollar Falls
My forecast is for the Warsh Fed to cut policy rates by 100 bps in the 4 meetings after he takes over (June, July, September, October) ahead of midterms. Markets are moving in this direction, but still price only 63...
By Robin Brooks
Blog•Feb 14, 2026
The $800B Open Secret: What the New Medicaid Spending Dataset Means for Health Tech Builders and Investors
The episode breaks down the release of the largest publicly available Medicaid claims dataset, detailing its composition, gaps, and immediate utility for health‑tech builders and investors. It quantifies the scale of Medicaid spending (~$849 B) and improper payments (over $30 B annually),...
By Thoughts on Healthcare Markets & Tech
News•Feb 14, 2026
AI Is Crushing These Job Roles First; New Study Reveals How You Can Stay Relevant
A recent survey of 651 companies reveals that 65% reduced entry‑level hiring after adopting generative AI, as AI tools allow existing staff to handle workloads previously assigned to new hires. While hiring at the bottom of the ladder slows, demand...
By Mint AI
News•Feb 14, 2026
Cabinet Clears Rs 11,000 Crore Highway Projects in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana Under PM GatiShakti
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved highway projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore across Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana. Maharashtra will upgrade a 154.6‑km stretch of NH‑160A for Rs 3,320.38 crore, Gujarat will build a 107.67‑km 4‑lane segment of NH‑56 for Rs 4,583.64 crore, and Telangana...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
![Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 14 ’26 Business Report]](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/articles/cab34e78e3c03c3be6c0d219f8069dcd.webp)
Blog•Feb 14, 2026
Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Feb 14 ’26 Business Report]
The Defense & Aerospace Report podcast highlighted a turbulent week on Wall Street, where a tech sell‑off produced the market's worst performance since November despite softer inflation and stronger jobs data. Canada announced a down payment for an additional 14...
By Defense & Aerospace Report
News•Feb 14, 2026
US Fixation on the Hard-Hat Economy and Making Manufacturing Great Again Makes Little Sense
The article argues that U.S. political focus on reviving the “hard‑hat” economy is misplaced. Manufacturing now comprises under 8% of employment, and recent tariff and subsidy policies have raised input costs without restoring jobs. Federal initiatives like the Inflation Reduction...
By The Guardian – Economics
News•Feb 14, 2026
Dedicated Freight Corridor Won’t Divert Cargo Volumes to Competing Ports, Says APSEZ
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) says the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) will not erode cargo volumes at its flagship Mundra Port. The company cites Mundra’s deep draft, faster vessel turnaround and integrated logistics ecosystem as structural advantages...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
News•Feb 14, 2026
Honda, Toyota Voice Concerns over EU's 'Made in Europe' Plan
Japanese and British automakers Honda and Toyota have warned that the European Union’s proposed “Made in Europe” plan could limit their market access. The initiative, driven by EU Executive Vice‑President Stephane Sejourne, seeks to curb cheap Chinese imports and boost...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 14, 2026
Administrators to Quiz Step up Clearance Discounting in All Stores
Quiz Clothing, placed into administration on 5 February, has launched additional clearance discounting across its 40 UK stores. The retailer’s online shop has been shut, but the physical locations remain open under Interpath’s joint administrators. Over 100 staff were made redundant...
By The Retail Bulletin
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Banks Grant AI Direct Control Over Money Flows
Banks are quietly moving AI beyond chatbots and into the plumbing of money itself. Inside compliance queues and cash dashboards, AI agents are starting to initiate tasks and move funds based on live signals. This is the real inflection point: not smarter...
By Spiros Margaris
News•Feb 14, 2026
European FinTech Investments Dropped by 11% YoY Amid Market Uncertainties in 2025
European FinTech investment contracted 11% year‑over‑year in 2025, with total funding falling to $16.3 billion across 743 deals. Deal activity under $100 million shrank 26%, while large transactions above $100 million held steady, pushing the average deal size to $21.9 million. The market’s shift...
By Fintech Global
News•Feb 14, 2026
Eden Life Pauses Consumer Business to Refocus on Corporate Clients
Eden Life, the Lagos‑based home services startup, has temporarily halted its consumer‑facing food, cleaning and laundry subscriptions to concentrate on higher‑margin corporate catering and industrial food contracts. The strategic reset follows an internal audit that flagged weak unit economics amid...
By TechCabal
News•Feb 14, 2026
Cabinet Clears Rs 1 Lakh Crore for India's Big Urban Reset; Aims to Unlock Rs 4 Lakh Crore Investment
The Indian cabinet approved a Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) to drive market‑led urban infrastructure over the next five years. The fund offers 25% central assistance, requiring cities to raise at least 50% of project costs from bonds, loans or...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 14, 2026
FFSM: Sensible SMID Strategy, Competitive Returns, Worth Shotlisting
Fidelity Fundamental Small‑Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) is an actively managed, non‑transparent fund that combines quantitative screening with fundamental research. Since its 2024 strategy shift, FFSM has outperformed the S&P 500 and several SMID peers such as IJH and SMMD, driven by...
By Seeking Alpha – ETFs & Funds
News•Feb 14, 2026
Andhra Pradesh Budget 2026-27 Worth ₹3.32 Lakh Crore — What's in for Women, Govt Employees, Health, Agriculture
Andhra Pradesh unveiled its FY 2026‑27 budget at ₹3.32 lakh crore, marking a roughly 8% increase over the previous year. The plan earmarks substantial allocations for women‑focused initiatives, government employee welfare, health infrastructure, and agricultural support. Health spending is set to rise 15%,...
By Mint (India) – Economy
News•Feb 14, 2026
Can Prediction Markets Fix a Multi-Billion-Dollar Information Gap for African Startups?
African tech startups repeatedly waste capital because founders lack reliable market data, leading to costly pivots and failures. The continent’s ecosystem raised $4.1 billion in 2025, yet 54% of startups still collapse, reflecting a multi‑billion‑dollar information gap. Prediction markets—already familiar through...
By TechCabal
News•Feb 14, 2026
UTF Vs. ASGI: Why A 6% Discount And Rate Cut Cycle Make UTF The Obvious Choice
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund (UTF) received a Buy rating, while abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (ASGI) was placed on Hold due to its premium valuation. UTF trades at a 6 % discount to NAV and carries 29.7 % leverage, positioning it to...
By Seeking Alpha – ETFs & Funds
Social•Feb 14, 2026
South Africa's Record Real Rates Prompt Slow, Steady Cuts
South African rates are restrictive. The real policy rate is the highest it’s been in 20 years, and they expect growth. They are suffocating the economy with high real rates. However, we can expect more rate cuts throughout the year,...
By Talk Cents
Blog•Feb 14, 2026
January’s Mild Inflation Report Comes with ‘Qualifications’
January’s consumer‑price index showed modest headline inflation, rising 0.3% month‑over‑month and 3.2% year‑over‑year, but the report included several qualifiers. Core CPI eased to 4.8% annual, driven by lower energy costs, while shelter and services remained sticky. Analysts highlighted the mixed...
By TipsWatch (Treasury Inflation‑Protected Securities)
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Earn Startup Attention, Don't Expect Platform Handouts
Nobody owes your startup attention. Not Twitter. Not Reddit. Not Product Hunt. Attention is earned, not launched. Where do you post your progress?
By Rado (This.is.rado)
News•Feb 14, 2026
India Must Shift From Growth at Scale to Productivity for Viksit Bharat 2047: KPMG Report
KPMG’s new report urges India to move from a scale‑driven growth model to one focused on productivity as it targets a Viksit Bharat by 2047. It outlines ten priority areas, including deepening manufacturing, upskilling a youthful workforce, modernising MSMEs, and...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
News•Feb 14, 2026
What America Forgets About the UN
The Financial Times opinion piece argues that the United States increasingly overlooks the strategic value of the United Nations, treating the body as a bureaucratic relic rather than a vital platform for multilateral problem‑solving. It highlights how U.S. disengagement erodes...
By Financial Times – Geopolitics
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Politicized Asset Stewardship Spurs Lease Cancellations, REIT Shorts
Macro: politicized stewardship of public assets rising; Key: Interior canceled NLT lease; Risk: litigation & environmental hurdles delay projects; Trade: short park‑adjacent REITs. ⚖️ — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA. More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
By Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Malaysia Beats Forecast, Yet MSMEs Face Headwinds
Malaysia’s Economic Outlook & Risks Full-year performance exceeds government’s upper ceiling based on 4Q 2025 data Outperformance —► Hawkish BNM bias. Chatter of tougher operating conditions on the ground, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) including F&B sector are leading many...
By David Chuah
News•Feb 14, 2026
Aline Nasseh Chocolates Pop Up at Holt Renfrew
Toronto‑based Aline Nasseh Artisan Chocolates launched a seasonal pop‑up at Holt Renfrew Yorkdale, running through February 22 and featuring a limited‑edition Valentine’s collection. The activation gave the two‑year‑old brand exposure to a luxury retail audience and generated stronger‑than‑expected sales despite post‑holiday lulls...
By Retail Insider Canada
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Modi Leveraged Trump Tariff Threat to Advance Free Trade
My take on PM Modi's clever move to reduce India's punishing tariffs and non-tariff barriers: "Modi used the tariff threat from Trump as cover to push for free trade between India and other countries." MODI = SMARTER THAN YOU THINK. https://t.co/aTUbO8em04
By Steve Hanke
Social•Feb 14, 2026
AI Widens Gap: Leaders Must Keep Learning
AI is accelerating the divide between leaders who learn continuously and those who fall behind. Standing still is not a https://t.co/fRpFGuoNlH the full episode: https://t.co/niO7fXOQML https://t.co/vMRrQNi6cA
By Jim Marous
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Markets Price 2.5 Fed Cuts as Curve Flattens
After jobs and CPI, mkt has ~2.5 Fed rate cuts discounted this year. 2-10 yr curve flattened back-to-back weeks for first time since Oct. 10 yr yield 3-month low. Be prepared for next week. See...
By Marc Chandler
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Markets Discount Fed Cuts Amid Japan Election, Tariff Uncertainty
Week Ahead: SCOTUS Decision on Tariffs? 8 Fed Officials Speak as the Market Discounts almost 65 bp of Cuts this Year: Last week began with the LDP's stunning victory in Japan. However, rather than sell-off as the market expected, the...
By Marc Chandler
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Dollar Decouples: US Growth Rises as USD Falls
Great piece by @katie_martin_fx in the @FT on the correlation break happening for the Dollar. As Trump leans more and more on the Fed, positive data surprises like payrolls no longer lift USD. The US will boom this year. But...
By Robin Brooks
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Strengthening Critical Mineral Supply Chains Amid Geopolitical Fragmentation
Thanks @bmwfoundation for partnering w @ColumbiaUEnergy on such a substantive & productive session @MunSecConf on how to enhance critical mineral & energy supply chain security amid fragmenting geopolitics. Great insights from DOE’s @AlexFitzDC, @dan_brouillette & so many others. https://t.co/D1xRKHu7gO
By Jason Bordoff
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Anti‑Trump Bias Skews Dollar and Inflation Forecasts
A lot of economic commentary is inflected by anti-Trump sentiment. That's why so many forecast the Dollar would go into a death spiral last year (it didn't) & why there's so much focus on inflation overheating now (it isn't). Yesterday's...
By Robin Brooks
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Big Shocks Make Firms Change Prices Faster, Speeding Inflation
Recent inflation surge has subsided in most advanced economies, but effects may linger in unexpected ways. Inflation responds much more rapidly to large shocks than standard models predict, because firms adjust prices more frequently when shocks are large https://t.co/Lrr7d9eevX
By Linda Yueh
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Oil Demand Plummets as Gas Powers Electricity
CHART OF THE DAY: Among the world's top oil consumers, a curious trend. The 2nd largest consumption drop last year ocurred in Saudi Arabia, where demand fell ~60,000 b/d (only South Korea saw a larger drop). The reason? Gas is...
By Javier Blas
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Wars Trigger Persistent Democratic Decline in Specific Contexts
Data covering 115 conflicts & 145 countries over past 75 years show wars cause large & persistent declines in democratic institutions. Not inevitable. It appears only in specific settings –first-time conflicts, internal wars, conflicts that governments win https://t.co/Lq6ORZiquj
By Linda Yueh
Social•Feb 14, 2026
EU Trade Surplus Shrinks as Tariffs and China Pressure
1/5 Reuters: "The EU's trade surplus kept shrinking, data showed on Friday, as tariffs weighed on exports to the U.S. and rising Chinese imports crowded out domestic production, highlighting existential threats to the bloc's economic model." https://t.co/91sJO2nGjP
By Michael Pettis
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Tech Stocks' Valuations Soar, Yet Margins Remain Stretched
Biggest strength for Tech Stocks. and their biggest weakness? (stretched valuations are underpinned by stretched profit margins) https://t.co/JyYGvhtRlC
By Callum Thomas
Social•Feb 14, 2026
UK Growth Stalls at 0.1% Amid Rising Taxes
The U.K.'s GDP grew just 0.1% in Q4 2025 and an ANEMIC 1.3% for the entire year. Under RUSSOPHOBE Keir Starmer, taxes are up, productivity is flat, and consumers are feeling squeezed. https://t.co/WDyleJsH6n
By Steve Hanke
Social•Feb 14, 2026
China Cracks Down on Hidden Corporate IOU Market
1/3 Very interesting Caixin article on attempts by Chinese regulators to get their arms around "the opaque market for corporate IOUs that has allowed big-name companies to defer payments to suppliers on a massive scale." https://t.co/FIJywKAtIX
By Michael Pettis
Social•Feb 14, 2026
China's Cheap Middle East Oil Squeezes West African Sellers
China is pulling more cheap oil from the Middle East. That leaves W. African oil struggling to find buyers until it gets cheap enough to move again, writes @JuneGoh_Sparta In this tight market, the Middle East has the upper hand. Sorry oil...
By Art Berman Blog
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Import‑Dependent Nations Face Greater Food Insecurity, Regardless of Wealth
Countries that rely on staple imports to feed their population tend to report higher levels of food insecurity. This holds even after controlling for income per capita, suggesting that exposure to international markets is independent of development level https://t.co/2tzjysif3u
By Linda Yueh
Social•Feb 14, 2026
China's January Financing Jumps 2.4% Year‑over‑year, Beating Forecasts
1/5 According to Caixin, China’s aggregate financing grew slightly faster than expected in January, rising by RMB 7.22 trillion. This was 2.4% more than in January 2025 and 10.4% more than in January 2024. It is equal to 5.1% of annual...
By Michael Pettis
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Provincial Revenues Forecast 2‑3% Growth, Lagging Economy
1/4 SCMP: "Major provinces are budgeting for 2 to 3 per cent growth this year in general public operating revenue, broadly in line with last year but below broader economic growth targets, Fitch Ratings said in a research note." https://t.co/HwyAPw042O
By Michael Pettis
Social•Feb 14, 2026
China's Railway Investment Climbs 5.5% in January
Xinhua: "China's railway sector completed 46.3 billion yuan (about 6.67 billion U.S. dollars) in fixed-asset investment in January, up 5.5 percent year on year." https://t.co/g109GF2REm
By Michael Pettis
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Swiss Inflation Near Zero as Money Growth Slows
Switzerland’s inflation rate is on the low end of its TARGET RANGE at 0.03%/yr. Switzerland’s money supply (M3) has been growing below Hanke's Golden Growth Rate of 4.40%-6.40%/yr since 2020 & is now only at 4.58%/yr. THE INFLATION STORY =...
By Steve Hanke