News•Feb 17, 2026
UK Software Firm Pinewood's Stock Fell ~31% on February 16 After Apax Withdrew Its £575M Takeover Offer, Citing "Prevailing Challenging...
Apax Partners pulled its £575 million takeover bid for FTSE 250 software firm Pinewood on February 16, citing challenging market conditions. The withdrawal triggered an immediate 31% drop in Pinewood’s share price, the steepest decline in weeks. Analysts view the move as a barometer of the broader slowdown in UK tech M&A activity. Pinewood now faces uncertainty over alternative financing or strategic options.
By Techmeme
News•Feb 17, 2026
Yen Rises Slightly as JGB Auction Passes Test
The yen edged higher in thin Asian trading as the Japanese currency modestly strengthened. The latest five‑year JGB auction posted a bid‑to‑cover ratio of 3.10, the first rise since September, indicating easing election‑related stress. RBA minutes reinforced a tightening bias...
By Action Forex
News•Feb 17, 2026
Expectations Are Low for the Latest US-Brokered Talks Between Russia and Ukraine
Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Geneva for U.S.-brokered talks, but expectations are low that they will produce a breakthrough before the war's fourth anniversary. Both sides remain entrenched on territorial demands, with Russia insisting on broader land claims and...
By Manila Bulletin – Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Diversification Mirage Inside Today’s Indexes
Indexes are increasingly dominated by a handful of AI‑focused mega‑cap firms, turning passive funds into de‑facto concentrated bets. Peter Corey of Pave warns that investors often mistake broad ETF holdings for true diversification, while underlying exposure remains clustered around the...
By InvestmentNews – ETFs
News•Feb 17, 2026
Ukraine and the New Way of War
Four years after Russia’s full‑scale invasion, the Ukraine war has defied early forecasts by persisting far longer and costing both sides more than anticipated. Kyiv’s ability to adapt, innovate militarily, and marshal extensive U.S., European, and global support has been...
By Foreign Affairs
News•Feb 17, 2026
Europe’s Next War
Europe faces heightened risk of a broader NATO‑Russia confrontation as the Ukraine war drags on. Over the past four years, NATO allies have poured hundreds of billions of dollars in military, economic, and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, while European nations...
By Foreign Affairs
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Fertility News This Month
In this episode the host curates a monthly roundup of quirky fertility news, focusing on pronatalist policies in Chile and Thailand. They critique Chile’s new "Plan Renace"—a baby‑bonus and tax‑break scheme championed by politician Kast—arguing that such incentives target later...
By Natality (Lyman Stone)
News•Feb 17, 2026
How Bad Bunny’s Power Pole Dance Spotlighted the Colonial Legacy of Energy Poverty
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl pole‑dance performance turned a global stage into a protest against Puerto Rico’s chronic power outages. The artist highlighted how the island’s unreliable grid is a direct legacy of U.S. colonial energy policies that deny residents federal...
By The Conversation – Business + Economy (US)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Walmart’s Sam’s Club Cracks China Market Formula Even as Foreign Retailers Shut Shop
Walmart‑owned Sam’s Club is expanding in China by deepening localisation, offering China‑specific products such as ginseng, copper‑gourd ornaments, and right‑sized private‑label packs. The chain opened ten new stores in 2025, bringing its footprint to 63 locations and shifting focus to...
By South China Morning Post — Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Dizon Plans Procurement Overhaul to Lure ‘Legitimate’ Builders Back to DPWH
The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will adopt a fast‑track procurement system modeled on the Board of Investments' "green lane" to lure reputable builders back after recent flood‑control contract scandals. Secretary Vince Dizon said the new process...
By Manila Bulletin – Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
Vietnam's Airports, Money Controls Said to Deter Tech Investors
Vietnam’s startup funding has slowed as investors cite cross‑border frictions, notably congested airports and strict capital controls. The newly opened Long Thanh International Airport is intended to ease Ho Chi Minh City’s traffic but has yet to deliver full relief....
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
JICA Mulls Resuming ODA Loans to Pakistan After Decadelong Hiatus
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is weighing a restart of official development assistance (ODA) loans to Pakistan after a ten‑year hiatus. The move reflects improving macro‑economic indicators, including steadier growth and reduced fiscal stress. JICA’s decision will be coordinated with...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Copper Becomes BHP's Biggest Earner as Profits Soar
BHP reported that copper now accounts for the majority of its earnings for the first time, propelling a sharp rise in six‑month profit and revenue. The miner’s shift away from iron ore, which is suffering from weaker Chinese demand, has...
By Nikkei Asia – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Mayor Isko Leads Chinese New Year Countdown in Binondo
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the Chinese New Year countdown in Binondo, welcoming Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and highlighting deepening Philippines‑China ties. He announced that new flights to Cebu will boost tourism, jobs, and business, and reported a...
By Manila Bulletin – Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
FDIS: Consumer Discretionary Dashboard For February
The February Consumer Discretionary Dashboard shows the sector’s services segment trading about 14% below its 11‑year average, while autos and components remain the most overpriced subsector. Fidelity’s FDIS ETF and SPDR’s XLY deliver comparable long‑term Sharpe ratios, but FDIS offers...
By Seeking Alpha – ETFs & Funds
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
The Housing Inflection Point
The episode examines the current U.S. housing market inflection point, highlighting softened builder confidence, persistently tight resale inventory, and the potential impact of a credible rate‑cut cycle on margins and incentives. It discusses policy initiatives aimed at streamlining permitting and...
By The Lead‑Lag Report – Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Dangote Signs $400 Million Equipment Deal to Fast-Track Refinery Expansion and Boost Petrochemical Capacity
Dangote Group has inked a $400 million deal with China’s XCMG to acquire heavy‑construction equipment that will fast‑track the expansion of its petroleum refinery from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day. The upgrade will also boost petrochemical outputs, including polypropylene, urea...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Real vs Technical Inflation: Which Should Guide Monetary Policy in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics rebased its Consumer Price Index to a 2024 base year, pulling headline inflation down from 24.48% in January 2025 to 15.15% by December 2025. Critics argue the technical decline masks persistent real inflation, with food prices still...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 17, 2026
What Nigeria’s Economy Optimises for — Without Admitting It
Nigeria’s economy is structured to reward navigating bureaucratic friction rather than boosting productivity, efficiency, or innovation. World Bank data shows firms spend over 40% more time on regulations than the regional average, creating a thriving informal ecosystem of brokers, fixers...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 17, 2026
EFCC Quizzes El-Rufai, Defends Use of Tear Gas on Protesters
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) summoned former Kaduna governor Nasiru El‑Rufai for questioning over alleged mismanagement of public funds during his 2015‑2023 tenure. While El‑Rufai complied, supporters stormed the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, prompting operatives to deploy tear gas...
By BusinessDay (Nigeria)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Uganda’s Ports Crippled by Encroachment and Neglect
Uganda’s eight lake ports, managed by state‑owned Uganda Railways Corporation, are crippled by illegal land encroachments, military occupations, and climate‑related water level shifts. Key facilities such as Port Bell and Lambu Port face stalled redevelopment despite an African Development Bank...
By The East African
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Rise of the “Central” Bloc? How Türkiye and Saudi Arabia May Build a New Third Channel for Global Defence...
Turkey and Saudi Arabia concluded a series of defence‑industrial accords in February 2026, covering a fifth‑generation fighter, a utility helicopter, and unmanned naval platforms. The agreements were sealed during President Erdoğan’s Riyadh visit and include a joint KAAN fighter investment...
By Quwa – Defence News & Analysis
News•Feb 17, 2026
India's Textile and Apparel Exports Down by 3.75% in January, Outlook Improves Now with India US Interim Deal
India's textile and apparel exports fell 3.75% in January 2026, dropping to $3.27 billion from $3.40 billion a year earlier, primarily due to U.S. tariffs that remained until February 7. Cotton yarn, fabrics and handloom products declined over 4%, while carpet and jute...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
U.S. Treasury Rates Weekly Update for February 13, 2026
U.S. Treasury rates slipped across the curve in the week ending February 13, 2026. The 30‑year yield fell 0.16%, while the benchmark 10‑year dropped 0.18% to 4.04%. The 3‑year note settled at 3.43%. The declines reflect modest easing in market...
By Chet Wang Blog (Municipal Bonds)
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Quick Take: Thermal Coal Prices Rising
In this brief episode, the host highlights a recent surge in API2 (Northwest Europe) thermal coal futures for March delivery, which have risen roughly $5 per metric tonne over five trading sessions, briefly breaching $108/mt before settling near $107.50/mt. The...
By The Coal Trader
News•Feb 17, 2026
Semirara Hopes to Win Coal Mine Bidding
Semirara Mining and Power Corp is urging that its long‑standing technical expertise will help it retain the coal‑mining concession that expires in 2027, even as the Philippine government prepares an auction. The announcement triggered a 21.39% drop in Semirara’s share...
By Philippine Daily Inquirer – Business
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
New Zealand’s Housing Crash Restores Affordability
New Zealand’s housing market has entered a sharp correction, with the REINZ house‑price index falling 0.6% month‑on‑month and 16.2% from its early‑2022 peak, equating to a 30% real‑terms loss since 2019. Mortgage rates have dropped to pre‑pandemic levels after the...
By MacroBusiness (Australia)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Lebanon Says Four Months Needed for Second Phase of Hezbollah Disarmament
Lebanon’s government announced that its army will need at least four months to complete the second phase of the five‑stage plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenals south of the Litani River. The phase targets the corridor between the Litani and Awali...
By Al Jazeera – All News (includes Economy)
News•Feb 17, 2026
US Dollar Positioning Hits Record Underweight in Bank of America Survey
Bank of America’s FX sentiment survey shows net US dollar exposure at a record underweight, the most negative level since the survey began in January 2012. Short positions have surged to extreme levels, surpassing the lows recorded in April 2023....
By ForexLive — Feed
News•Feb 17, 2026
Russia-Ukraine War: List of Key Events, Day 1,454
Ukraine reclaimed roughly 201 sq km of territory after a Russian Starlink communications outage, while Russia reported downing 345 Ukrainian drones and launching 62 long‑range strike drones overnight. The Czech Republic supplied 4.4 million rounds of large‑calibre ammunition to bolster Kyiv’s firepower. Diplomatic...
By Al Jazeera – All News (includes Economy)
News•Feb 17, 2026
A RM11 Billion Takeover Battle Is Testing Malay Economic Clout. Malaysia PM Anwar Now Holds All the Cards
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also finance minister, controls the state‑owned stakes that own nearly half of IJM Corporation, putting him at the centre of Sunway Group’s RM11 billion (S$3.5 billion) takeover bid. The offer, seen as hostile, combines RM1 billion in cash with...
By The Business Times (Singapore) – Companies & Markets
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Strip Mall Bought for $900K Generates $700K Equity
Do you want to see how a $900K strip mall turned into ~$700K equity? Just dropped the full breakdown. Comment $ for the link.
By Justin Pickell
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Cambodia's Payment System Outsourced Abroad Threatens Sovereignty
🇰🇭#Cambodia's payment infrastructure: Outsourced to overseas vendors, platforms and foreign-owned banks. How to maintain the country's sovereignity?
By Urs Bolt
News•Feb 17, 2026
BOJ Likely to Raise Rates 25bp April, Former Board Member Says. Gradual Move Toward 1.25%
Former Bank of Japan board member Seiji Adachi says the central bank is most likely to raise rates in April rather than March, waiting for clearer wage and inflation data. The BOJ’s December hike to 0.75% marked the first move...
By ForexLive — Feed
Social•Feb 17, 2026
China Shifts Reserves to State Banks, Boosts Returns
Beijing really just outsourced its reserves to its state banks, and shifted out of US custodians High return on investment tho. Tons of folks swallow the fall in reported Treasury holdings hook, line and sinker https://t.co/MKw3EJlSuR
By Brad Setser
Social•Feb 17, 2026
2025 Year-End Bonuses Shrink, Uneven Amid Economic Slowdown
1/2 SCMP: "Long viewed by Chinese employees as a barometer of corporate prospects, industry momentum and even the broader economy, the year-end bonus packages for 2025 have become smaller, rarer and far more unevenly distributed, amid slowing... https://t.co/MFbnMtmZdY
By Michael Pettis
News•Feb 17, 2026
Lundin Bags More Credit for Copper Project
Lundin Mining secured an additional credit facility to fund its flagship copper development, expanding the financing previously arranged for the project. The new credit line, sourced from a syndicate of international banks, adds $500 million to the existing $1.2 billion pool,...
By LatinFinance
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Copper Price Surge Fuels BHP's Profit Growth
Who could have seen this coming? Higher copper prices are BHP's main profit driver. https://t.co/ifvnq0Y31l #BHP #copper #mining #commodities #energytransition #AI #electrification #China #ironore #markets
By Art Berman Blog
Social•Feb 17, 2026
China's Hidden Bank Interventions Hit $800B Annual Record
The annualized measures of Chinese intervention over the last 3ms that capture backdoor intervention by the state banks are at all time highs in dollar terms -- over $200b a quarter/ over $800b annualized https://t.co/7vlh3tf4CX
By Brad Setser
Blog•Feb 17, 2026
Scott Kennedy’s BDC Earnings Series: Assessing Sixth Street Specialty Lending’s Performance For Q4 2025
Sixth Street Specialty Lending reported its Q4 2025 results, posting a 12% increase in net asset value to $1.84 billion and a 9% rise in earnings per share. The BDC’s portfolio composition shifted toward higher‑yield middle‑market loans, boosting the weighted‑average interest rate...
By The REIT Forum
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Sinokor's 120‑tanker Dominance Spikes Freight, Rattles Oil Markets
South Korean Sinokor now controls 120 oil tankers When one buyer controls the tradable fleet, charterers panic-book, freight spikes, and shocks bleeds into physical oil prices and spreads. https://t.co/Z2GsMyfbtl #oil #tankers #VLCC #shipping #freight #supplychain #sanctions #geopolitics #markets #energy
By Art Berman Blog
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Falling Rates Could Quickly Revive Builder Margins
Sales are weak. Inventory is tight. Builder sentiment is soft. If rates fall, incentives drop — and margins can snap back fast. The setup in homebuilders isn’t getting enough attention. Read more: https://t.co/AJREG4myee
By Michael A. Gayed, CFA (Lead-Lag Report)
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Thailand Market Hit Bottom Mid‑2025, Faber Predicted
While everyone continues to be bearish on Thailand, the index quietly bottomed in mid-2025. Marc Faber called it, almost perfectly. https://t.co/TfCZRnhSG7
By Michael Fritzell
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Markets Overvalued: Between Very and Pornographically High
Market Update: We continue to view the market as being somewhere between very overvalued and pornographically overvalued. We have an out of consensus outlook. @dougkass @andrewrsorkin @BeckyQuick @SquawkCNBC @CNBCFastMoney @HalftimeReport @carlquintanilla @ScottWapnerCNBC @jimcramer @pboockvar @saraeisen @SullyCNBC @tomkeene @ferrotv @lisaabramowicz1 @business...
By Doug Kass
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Iran Risk Unpriced: Trump Faces Bluff, Consequence Choice
Iran Risk Is Not Priced In Iran escalation does not look easily winnable for Trump. It looks like a bluff inside a trap, which sets up as a dangerous game of “concession or consequence”. https://t.co/XXKbHZrXhQ
By Samantha LaDuc
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Asian Markets Split: AI Surge vs Old‑Economy Shift Ahead
Asian equity markets are diverging into two camps: AI capex beneficiaries in East Asia and "old economy" companies in Southeast Asia. There will be an inflection point where the former peaks, and flows move towards the latter. But when?
By Michael Fritzell
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Software Stocks Echo Dot‑com Highs, Risk Imminent Crash
The carnage brings us back to the Dot-Com highs on Software Relative to the S&P 500. Ugly ugly ugly. I don't know if it happens this week, but I think this chart will break down. Time will tell. https://t.co/d0hCRxotxq
By Jeff Weniger
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Iranian Rial Plummets, Becomes World's Second Worst Currency
On this week's Hanke's #CurrencyWatchlist, the Iranian rial ranks as the WORLD'S 2ND WORST currency. The rial has depreciated by 44% against the USD over the past year. RIAL = THE GREAT DESTABILIZER. https://t.co/06OiclsaSq
By Steve Hanke
Social•Feb 17, 2026
2026 Macro Outlook: Resilient Momentum Amid Inflation Leaks
New episode 🎙️ Rob Haworth (U.S. Bank Asset Management) joins me to break down 2026 macro: resilient momentum, inflation + earnings “leaking” through the system, tariffs, geopolitics, Fed uncertainty, and what to watch if rates spike. https://t.co/OPTdLbcGgJ
By David Keller, CMT
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Stock Futures Swing Wildly This Evening
This evening stock futures are having more moves than a shortstop batting .110. @KeithMcCullough @hedgeye @andrewrsorkin @BeckyQuick @SquawkCNBC @carlquintanilla @ScottWapnerCNBC @guyadami @saraeisen @SullyCNBC @Convertbond @pboockvar
By Doug Kass