Vanguard Teams with Wellington to Launch Blended Model Portfolio Range
Vanguard has introduced a blended model portfolio service (MPS) for UK financial advisers, offering five low‑cost portfolios that combine active and index strategies. The partnership taps Wellington Management’s research to set asset allocations, ranging from 20% to 100% equity exposure. Vanguard implements the models using its own index and active fixed‑income funds, while active equity exposure comes from third‑party managers such as Schroders and Lazard. The launch expands Vanguard’s adviser‑focused product suite and provides a hybrid solution for clients seeking both stability and potential outperformance.
Govt Plans to Expand Domestic Shipping Industry to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Vessels: Sanjeev Sanyal
India is launching a ₹77,000 crore programme to build a domestic merchant fleet and expand shipbuilding, aiming to cut its reliance on foreign vessels that handle more than 90% of imports and exports. The plan prioritises ship construction, port upgrades, and...
American Tower 2025 Results: Revenue Jumps 5%, 2026 Outlook De-Risked Despite DISH Default
American Tower reported a 5.1% revenue increase to $10.6 billion in 2025, driven by a 14% surge in its data‑center segment. Net income rose 15.3% to $2.63 billion, though fourth‑quarter earnings fell 32% due to higher expenses. For 2026 the company projects...
Policy Blindspots Threaten Nigeria’s .ng Domain Adoption, NiRA Flags
Nigeria’s digital strategy hinges on expanding the local .ng domain, but the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) warns that policy gaps are stalling adoption. Although the 2025 Nigeria First Policy obliges government bodies to migrate to .ng addresses and host...
Securities Dealers Call for Prudence as Nigerian Stocks Rally
The Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) warned investors to exercise prudence as the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) enjoys a sustained rally. While renewed confidence and stronger macro‑economic sentiment are fueling price gains, ASHON cautioned that many stocks...
Allstate Secures $1.2bn Reinsurance with New Sanders Re Cat Bonds, Its Largest Placement Ever
Allstate has priced and closed two catastrophe‑bond series, Sanders Re IV Ltd. (2026‑1A) and Sanders Re III Ltd. (2026‑1B), delivering a record $1.2 billion of multi‑peril, multi‑year reinsurance in a single market visit. The issuance comprises four tranches—two four‑year and two...
Shell, METLEN Sign LNG Supply and Trading Deal
Shell and Greece’s METLEN have signed an MoU to supply and trade up to 1 bcm of LNG annually from 2027 to 2031. Deliveries will flow through the Revithoussa and Alexandroupolis regasification terminals. The deal leverages the Vertical Gas Corridor to...
Unlocking Rs 40 Lakh Crore: Govt's Mega Bet on India's Infra Future
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched NMP 2.0, a second‑phase asset‑monetisation drive that targets over 2,000 public infrastructure assets across 12 ministries. The programme aims to generate Rs 16.7 lakh crore in total proceeds, with Rs 10.8 lakh crore expected between 2025‑26 and 2029‑30. Revenues will be recycled...
What Africa's Banks Can Steal From China's Playbook
The China Development Bank (CDB) grew its balance sheet to $2.6 trillion with a 0.37 % non‑performing loan ratio by leveraging bundled project lending and provincial platform companies. African multilateral financial institutions now control $70 billion to $320 billion in capital, positioning them to...
The AI Land Grab: Why SMCI's Drop Is Your Gain
Super Micro Computer (SMCI) carries a Hold rating with a $43.43 price target, while its shares have risen about 7.8% to $33.57. Top‑rated analysts highlighted five alternative stocks—Dell, Nvidia, AMD among them—as stronger buys in the AI‑driven hardware sector. The...
Nikkei Index Ends at Record High
The Nikkei Stock Average closed at a record 58,583.12 points, up 2.20% as investors cheered the nomination of two new Bank of Japan policymakers viewed as dovish. The yen briefly slipped past the 156‑yen level before retreating, while the broader...
Home Depot CEO Flags a Disconcerting Lack of Faith in the American Economy: ‘Our Customers Are Telling Us that They’re...
Home Depot reported a 13% drop in Q4 net earnings to $2.6 billion as a stalled housing market curtails home‑improvement spending. CEO Ted Decker said consumers lack confidence, delaying large projects despite low mortgage rates and ongoing price cuts in new...
Fresh Math for World's Fastest Growing Economy: What's Behind India's GDP Revision and Why It Matters
India will revise its GDP series on Feb 27, moving the base year from 2011‑12 to 2022‑23 to better reflect digital services, renewable energy and post‑pandemic consumption patterns. The overhaul introduces double‑deflation accounting, the Proportional Denton method for quarterly‑annual alignment, and...
Hiscox Capital Partners Grows ILS AUM to $1.5bn, Secured $330m of Inflows over Last Year
Hiscox Capital Partners lifted its insurance‑linked securities (ILS) assets under management to $1.5 billion as of 1 January 2026, driven by $330 million of new inflows over the past year. The inflows offset planned capital returns and boosted deployable capital for the January reinsurance...
WFE Flags Settlement Risks in Push Toward 24/5 Trading
The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) warns that extending equity trading to a 24‑hours‑five‑days (24/5) schedule introduces settlement and liquidity risks unless clearing, settlement and payment infrastructures are upgraded. U.S. venues such as NYSE Arca, Nasdaq and Cboe are piloting...
Bank of Japan Won’t Alter Its Policy Normalisation Path
The Bank of Japan affirmed its commitment to a gradual policy normalisation path, emphasizing data‑driven decisions despite the appointment of two dovish board nominees. While the new members are expected to voice opposition to tightening, the overall board composition remains...
DERIVSOURCE: The Pros and Cons of Client Clearing
Client clearing volumes jumped 67% in early 2026, driven by the uncleared margin rule and new structures like the European Agent Trustee Model. The OFR working paper highlights benefits such as reduced dealer gross exposure, lower collateral needs, broader dealer...
Iberdrola Profits Increase on Network Growth
Iberdrola posted a 12% rise in reported net profit to €6.3 bn for 2025, driven by stronger regulated returns in its UK and US electricity networks. Adjusted EBITDA grew 3% to €15.68 bn, with the Networks business up 21% and the regulated...
UK Energy Bills to Fall by £117 a Year, Offering some Relief to Household Budgets – Business Live
Ofgem announced a 7% cut to the UK energy price cap, lowering the typical annual household bill to £1,641 from April. The reduction translates to about £10 a month, or £117 per year, representing more than £200 savings compared with...
FX Daily: Nvidia Earnings Could Be Big for FX
Ahead of Nvidia's earnings, analysts warn that a miss could trigger broader risk aversion, hitting the most exposed G10 currencies such as the Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar and Norwegian krone. The USD’s reaction will signal whether AI‑related concerns remain confined...
Milestone Systems Opens Asia Experience Centre in Singapore
Milestone Systems announced the launch of its Asia Experience Centre in Singapore, expanding its regional footprint and providing a live‑lab for AI‑enabled video solutions. The centre supports Singapore’s national AI agenda and offers governments, enterprises, and critical infrastructure operators a...
US Formally Warned Kyiv over Attacks on Russia that Damage American Oil Majors’ Interests, Says Ambassador
The United States delivered a formal diplomatic warning to Kyiv after Ukrainian drones struck the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a key export gateway for Kazakh crude that underpins American oil majors' interests. The attack disabled a single‑point mooring,...
Proposal to Launch Antimony Trioxide 99.5% Sb2O3 Min, Exw China Price Assessment: Pricing Notice
Fastmarkets announced a proposal to launch a new ex‑works China price for antimony trioxide (99.5% Sb2O3 min). The price, quoted in yuan per tonne, will be published weekly and targets a minimum 10‑tonne spot transaction. The consultation period runs from...
‘Doesn’t the Commission’s Case Have to Fail?’ ACCC Faces Critical Questions in Coles Case
The Federal Court examined the ACCC’s claim that Coles misled shoppers with its “Down Down” price tags, questioning whether the regulator proved the promotions were deceptive. The ACCC argues Coles inflated prices before offering short‑lived discounts, creating a false impression...
‘The Right Types of Promotions’: Woolies Lures Customers Back with Lower Prices
Woolworths has halted a multi‑year sales slump by slashing prices and expanding weekly specials, driving a 3.4% revenue increase to $37.1 billion in the first half of FY 2026. The retailer added over 350 items to its Lower Shelf Price range, now...
Sustainable Debt Issuance Slows as Markets Position for 2026 Rebound
Sustainable debt issuance slipped 12% year‑on‑year to about $1.4 trillion in 2025, marking the slowest growth in five years, even as clean‑energy investment hit a record $2.3 trillion. Research from ING expects a modest rebound to roughly $1.62 trillion in 2026, with Europe...
Has U.S. Inflation Started Turning Higher Again?
U.S. tariff rates surged to an average of 13% in 2025, yet headline inflation fell to 2.7% year‑over‑year before rebounding in December. Companies initially absorbed tariff costs, but recent PCE data shows they are now passing them onto consumers, pushing...
Romania’s Government Approves Public Administration Reform, Economic Stimulus Package
Romania’s cabinet approved a sweeping public‑administration decree that will cut roughly 10% of civil‑service staff – about 12,800 jobs – and impose unified wage standards on the majority of local units. The same session cleared an economic relaunch package featuring...
FX Option Expiries for 25 February 10am New York Cut
The February 25 10 a.m. New York FX option expiry lists strike levels and notional exposure across major currency pairs. EUR/USD shows the largest notional at the 1.1900 strike with €5.09 billion, while AUD/USD aggregates over AUD 8 billion across four strikes. Market makers must hedge these...
SA Bank Says Gold to End Above $6,000/Oz This Year
Standard Bank’s African Markets Conference highlighted a bullish outlook for gold, with its head of precious metals projecting the metal to finish the year above $6,000 per ounce and potentially reach $7,000‑$10,000 next year if interest rates keep falling. Attendees...
Submission of Rule Filing SR-NSCC-2026-003 – Amend the Clearing Agency Stress Testing Framework
National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) submitted Rule Filing SR‑NSCC‑2026‑003 to the SEC on February 25, 2026, proposing amendments to the shared stress‑testing framework of DTCC, its Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) subsidiary, and NSCC. The changes aim to broaden scenario coverage, tighten...
Submission of Rule Filing SR-DTC-2026-002 – Amend the Clearing Agency Stress Testing Framework
On February 25, 2026, The Depository Trust Company (DTC) submitted rule filing SR‑DTC‑2026‑002 to the SEC, proposing amendments to the Clearing Agency Stress Testing Framework shared by DTC, the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, and the National Securities Clearing Corporation. The...
Submission of Rule Filing SR-FICC-2026-004 – Amend the Clearing Agency Stress Testing Framework
On February 25, 2026, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) filed rule filing SR‑FICC‑2026‑004 with the SEC to amend the Clearing Agency Stress Testing Framework governing DTCC’s DTC, FICC, and NSCC. The proposed changes aim to modernize stress‑testing methodologies, improve risk...
Taiwan Shares Close up 2.05%
Taiwan's Taiwan Capitalization Weighted Index (TAIEX) closed at 35,413.07 on February 25, up 712.25 points or 2.05%. The market saw a hefty turnover of NT$981.97 billion (US$31.38 billion), indicating strong buying pressure. Semiconductor leader TSMC broke the NT$2,000 per share mark, lifting...
CME Group U.S. Treasury OI Sets New Record of 36.3M Contracts
CME Group reported a record 36,328,151 open interest contracts in U.S. Treasury futures and options on February 19, surpassing its previous high from November 2025. The milestone spans the entire yield curve, with new peaks in 2‑year, 5‑year, 10‑year, and...
What Are the Main Events for Today?
The European session delivered two key data points: Germany’s preliminary Q4 GDP rose 0.3% quarter‑on‑quarter, beating expectations, and Eurozone CPI showed a 1.7% year‑on‑year headline increase with core inflation at 2.2%. Both releases are final figures that historically have limited...
‘Strong Rebound’ for UK Housing Market with 6% More Homes for Sale than a Year Ago
Zoopla reports a strong rebound in the UK housing market, with February listings on track for the highest level in a decade and 6% more homes for sale than a year ago. The surge is driven by the lowest mortgage...
Who Showed up — and Who Didn’t — for Kyiv’s Big Day
Europe marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full‑scale invasion with a high‑profile solidarity event in Kyiv, where EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa stood beside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The gathering showcased symbolic support...
Hillgrove Charts Path to Growth as Copper Production at Kanmantoo Gathers Momentum
Hillgrove Resources reported a strong 2025 turnaround at its Kanmantoo underground copper mine, boosting production to over 11,300 tonnes and lifting revenue 49% to $167.6 million. The company reversed a $14.8 million loss into a modest $100,000 profit and grew cash reserves...
Godongwana Holds Better Budget Cards but Economic Recovery Remains Inadequate
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to present a 2026 budget bolstered by higher-than‑expected tax receipts, driven by a commodity price surge and improved collection efficiency. Despite the fiscal headroom, his GDP outlook remains bleak, projecting growth under 2%—far short...
Debtwire Middle-Market – 2/23/2026
Sponsor‑backed merger and acquisition activity surged to $165 billion in December 2025, marking the second‑largest monthly volume in the past decade, just shy of the $168 billion peak recorded in April 2021. Data from Mergermarket shows that leveraged buyouts and other sponsor‑driven deals now...
Japan Govmt Nominates New BOJ Board Members as Rate-Hike Path Comes Into Focus
Japan’s government has nominated professor emeritus Toichiro Asada and law professor Ayano Sato to the Bank of Japan’s nine‑member monetary policy board, pending parliamentary approval. The appointments arrive as the BOJ exits its ultra‑easy stimulus regime and lifts rates to...
Sifuna: I'm Open to Alliance with United Opposition
Kenyan Senate leader Edwin Sifuna announced that his Linda Mwananchi Initiative, a breakaway faction from the ODM, is open to joining the United Opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The prospective alliance aims to consolidate anti‑Ruto forces and present...
As US Tech Giants Become Cable Giants, It’s Time We Pay Attention to Our Seabeds
U.S. tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft are increasingly becoming sole owners of undersea data cables, giving them unprecedented control over global internet traffic. Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs and hinted at...
MSME Workers Deliver Just 14% of Large-Firm Output; Informality Is Costing India Billions
India’s MSMEs employ 330 million workers, accounting for 62 % of non‑agricultural jobs and about 30 % of GDP, yet their workers generate only 14 % of the output of large‑firm employees. The productivity gap stems from widespread informality, low formal skill training, and...
Coal India Backs Phased Rollout of National Coal Exchange to Protect Energy Security
Coal India has endorsed a phased rollout of the National Coal Exchange, aiming to move coal trading from traditional e‑auctions to a regulated electronic platform with market‑based price discovery. Executive Director V S Maharaj emphasized that reforms must be calibrated to protect...
Software Rout Ripples Through India’s Consumer Tech, Real Estate
Asian equities rose on Wednesday as the AI‑driven sell‑off in U.S. markets softened, offering a brief reprieve for India’s stock market. The Nifty index flirted with its 200‑day moving average, a key long‑term support level, before closing above it. Asset...
Trump Vows To Make Housing Affordable While Keeping Values Up as He Praises the ‘Golden Age of America’ in State...
President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to pledge affordable housing while insisting home values must stay high. He highlighted falling mortgage rates, citing a drop from 7.04% to 6.01%, and urged Congress to make permanent an...
Are the Signs Pointing to Another Nasdaq-100 Correction?
The Nasdaq‑100 is showing a repeat of a historic pattern where the index climbs while fewer components stay above their 200‑day moving average, a signal that preceded >20% corrections in 2021 and 2024. The metric has again slipped, and the...
EQAL: Long-Term Issues Outweigh Recent Outperformance
The Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) has outperformed peers IVV and IWB this year thanks to its equal‑weight tilt amid a capital‑rotation environment. However, its longer‑term track record remains weak, having lagged IVV, IWB, RSP, and EQL since 2014....