News•Feb 17, 2026
Corporate Health Outlook: Improvement Broadens as Expectations Rise
Loomis Sayles’ Credit Analyst Diffusion Indices (CANDIs) survey shows analyst optimism at its highest in several quarters, driven by stronger profit margins and declining leverage across most industries. Margin expectations rose sharply for both services and manufacturing, while leverage fell to near‑record lows, indicating healthier balance sheets. The survey highlights manufacturing’s ability to offset lingering cost pressures through pricing discipline, even as services enjoy stable, elevated margins. Despite the upbeat fundamentals, consensus earnings forecasts have risen, compressing credit risk premiums and raising the bar for further upside.
By Loomis Sayles — Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
African Travel Commission Summit Calls for Removal of Border Barriers and Stronger Regional Air Connectivity
The inaugural African Travel Commission (ATC) Summit in Lagos called for urgent reforms to visa policies, border regulations, and regional aviation to unlock Africa’s tourism potential. Delegates noted tourism generated roughly $225 billion in GDP and supported 30 million jobs in 2025,...
By eTurboNews
News•Feb 17, 2026
BP Is Running on Empty As Energy Giant Scraps Buyback Program
BP announced suspension of its share buyback program and raised its cost‑cutting target by $1.5 billion, aiming for $5.5‑$6.5 billion of savings by 2027 to fund oil production. The move follows a turbulent year that saw the ouster of CEO Murray Auchincloss...
By OilPrice.com – Main
News•Feb 17, 2026
Larry McMillan Stock Market Update Video 2/17/2026
On February 17, 2026, veteran options strategist Larry McMillan released a new stock market update video on his blog. In the briefing, McMillan reviews recent equity market movements and outlines option‑based approaches for navigating volatility. He reiterates the importance of...
By Option Strategist (Larry McMillan) – Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
States Urged to Expedite Capex Proposals, Use up Funds Before March 31
The Department of Expenditure has urged Indian states to fast‑track pending proposals under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure (SASCI) scheme as the March 31 deadline approaches. To date, ₹1.04 lakh crore has been released, and the FY26 Union Budget has...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
CME Group Fines, Suspends Broker for Allegedly Disclosing Non-Public Info Regarding Customer Orders
CME Group announced a $40,000 fine and a 30‑business‑day suspension for broker Kevin Milan after he disclosed material non‑public information about large crude oil futures orders in April‑May 2020. Milan shared order quantity, side, and contract months before the trades...
By FX News Group — Feed
News•Feb 17, 2026
Hope and Disappointment in India
India’s demographic and economic potential remains strong, but political dysfunction and empty rhetoric are eroding its long‑term outlook. The country suffers from unreliable statistics, a slowdown in innovation, and worsening air quality, all signs of institutional decay. Author Kaushik Basu’s...
By Project Syndicate — Economics
News•Feb 17, 2026
Dairy Margin Coverage Signup Slow in the Dairy State
Most Wisconsin dairy producers have yet to enroll in the USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, with only 1,616 of the state’s 5,116 licensed farms—31.5%—signed up as of Feb 17. The enrollment deadline is Feb 26, prompting FSA officials and risk‑management advisors...
By Brownfield Ag News
News•Feb 17, 2026
Iciest Baltic in 15 Years Threatens to Cut Russian Exports
Russia’s Baltic Sea ports are encased in the thickest ice in 15 years, forcing non‑ice‑class vessels to wait for ice‑breaker escorts. The ice surge has already cut oil exports from Primorsk by roughly one‑third, and waiting times for convoys have...
By gCaptain
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Fallacy of European Rare Earth Prices
Over the past year European intermediaries have quoted rare‑earth oxide prices that are several times higher than the volume‑backed market rates, creating widespread confusion. Adamas Intelligence data shows that 75% of yttrium oxide, 96% of dysprosium oxide and 95% of...
By Adamas Intelligence
News•Feb 17, 2026
France Releases Oil Tanker GRINCH After ‘Several Million Euro’ Penalty for Sanctions Evasion
French authorities released the oil tanker GRINCH after its owner paid a multi‑million‑euro penalty for sanctions evasion. The vessel, seized in the Alboran Sea in January, was suspected of operating under a false Comoros flag as part of Russia’s shadow...
By gCaptain
News•Feb 17, 2026
Pro Farmer Podcast | What Will Cotton Acres Shift to in 2026?
The Pro Farmer Podcast aired on February 17, 2026, featured editor Bill Watts, analyst Hillari Mason, and economist Spencer Langford discussing the projected decline in U.S. cotton acreage for 2026. They examined how reduced cotton plantings will intensify competition for...
By Pro Farmer
News•Feb 17, 2026
Down 72%, Should You Buy the Dip on Rigetti Computing?
Rigetti Computing’s stock plunged 72% from its October peak, settling near $15 after a 270% rally earlier this year. The quantum‑computing firm posted Q3 revenue of $1.9 million, down from $2.4 million, and a net loss that widened to $201 million versus $15 million...
By Yahoo Finance – News Index
News•Feb 17, 2026
Roku Shares Climb. Is It Too Late to Buy the Stock?
Roku reported a robust Q4, with revenue rising 16% to $1.39 billion and EPS flipping to a profit of $0.53, beating expectations. Platform revenue surged 18% to $1.22 billion, driven by video ads and premium subscriptions, while device revenue barely grew. Adjusted...
By Yahoo Finance – News Index
News•Feb 17, 2026
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Earnings: Nice Profitability Expansion in a Challenging Year
Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners reported 2025 results with 2.3% revenue growth, 2.7% volume increase and a 5.4% rise in operating profit, driven by pricing power and efficiency initiatives despite headwinds in Germany and Indonesia. The firm’s profitability outperformed forecasts, prompting Morningstar to...
By Morningstar UK – News
News•Feb 17, 2026
Tripadvisor Engages with Starboard as Activist Seeks Board Control, Sale
Tripadvisor disclosed multiple discussions with activist investor Starboard Value, which owns about 9 % of the company and is seeking board control and a possible sale. Starboard criticizes a 50 % share decline since CEO Matt Goldberg’s 2022 appointment, slow adoption of...
By Yahoo Finance – News Index
News•Feb 17, 2026
Q1 2026 Metals Update
Metals futures and options surged in early 2026, hitting a record single‑day volume of 4.2 million contracts on January 30, driven by rising gold and silver prices and a 100 % jump in battery‑metal activity. The launch of a 100‑Ounce Silver futures contract...
By CME Group – OpenMarkets
News•Feb 17, 2026
Market Isn't Being Rational Right Now: Qu
PSP Growth Managing Director Momei Qu told Bloomberg Surveillance that the market is acting irrationally, with NVIDIA’s stock sliding despite record AI‑related capital expenditures announced by the so‑called “MAG 7” firms. Qu said investors are torn between fears that massive AI...
By Bloomberg – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
Fears that Basel III Regulations Could Penalise Africa
The Basel III regulatory package, delayed to a full 2027 rollout, tightens capital quality, leverage and liquidity requirements for banks worldwide. African banks risk higher capital costs because their sovereign debt is risk‑weighted more heavily, potentially limiting credit to the...
By African Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
Zambia’s Copper Industry Expands Amid Rising Global Demand and Investment
Global demand for copper, driven by AI, renewable energy and electric vehicles, is spurring a rapid expansion of Zambia’s mining sector. Since 2022, more than $12 billion has been poured into the industry, lifting 2024 output by roughly eight percent to...
By Copperbelt Katanga Mining
News•Feb 17, 2026
Financing the Global South’s Infrastructure Boom
Private participation in infrastructure across the Global South reached $100 billion in 2024, a 20% rise over the previous five‑year average. The article highlights India’s PPP surge, which drove infrastructure credit to over 15% of bank lending but also triggered an...
By Project Syndicate — Economics
News•Feb 17, 2026
Thailand’s Royalist Right Turn
The royalist‑conservative Bhumjaithai Party has captured a decisive parliamentary majority, reinforced by the military and judiciary, positioning it to govern Thailand for the next four years. Its victory ends a 26‑year period marked by street protests, coups, and judicial interventions,...
By Project Syndicate — Economics
News•Feb 17, 2026
SwapsInfo Full Year 2025 and the Fourth Quarter of 2025 Review
SwapsInfo reports a 46.1% jump in interest‑rate‑derivatives (IRD) notional to $536.5 trillion in 2025, with trade count rising 22.9% to 3.3 million. Short‑dated contracts dominate, representing 71.5% of IRD notional, while cleared transactions account for 86.6% of total notional. Swap execution facilities...
By ISDA — News & analysis feed
News•Feb 17, 2026
Sarbananda Sonowal Hails PM Modi’s Trade Push, Calls It Break From Congress Era
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trade agenda, saying it marks a decisive break from the Congress era of policy paralysis. He highlighted nine free‑trade agreements signed since 2014 that give India preferential access to 38 developed economies and...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
As Rwanda’s Mineral Exports Surge, Trade Deficit Narrows
Rwanda’s mineral exports jumped 46.2% in 2025, driven by soaring tin, tungsten and tantalum prices and increased mechanised mining. The surge helped narrow the country’s trade deficit from $3 billion to $2.7 billion, with raw tin even achieving a positive balance with...
By The East African
News•Feb 17, 2026
Somalia Cleared to Adopt EAC E-Passport, Envoy Says
Somalia has been granted official authorization to adopt and print the East African Community (EAC) e‑Passport, a key step in its regional integration. The decision was handed to Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security and the Director‑General of Immigration in Dar...
By The East African
News•Feb 17, 2026
Despite Reset in India–US Relations, New Delhi Retains Commitment to Strategic Hedging
India and the United States announced a trade deal that lowers Indian export tariffs from 25% to 18% and removes the extra 25% levy on Russian crude. In return, New Delhi has pledged to buy $500 billion worth of U.S. goods,...
By Chatham House – All Content
News•Feb 17, 2026
Fitch Downgrades Missouri Hospital to ‘D’ Rating
Fitch downgraded John Fitzgibbon Memorial Hospital in Marshall, Missouri to a “D” rating from “C” and withdrew its issuer and bond ratings after the hospital defaulted on required debt payments. The default concerns principal and interest on 2010 bonds, and...
By Becker’s Hospital Review
News•Feb 17, 2026
Amwell Expects Lower Revenue in 2026
Amwell announced 2026 revenue guidance of $195 million to $205 million, down from $249.3 million in 2025, after divesting non‑core assets. The company has consolidated its offerings into a single, technology‑enabled care platform focused on SaaS and third‑party services. Executives said the streamlined...
By Healthcare Dive (Industry Dive)
News•Feb 17, 2026
NHAI Gets Rs 12,357 Cr Towards Monetisation for 2025-26; Lower than the Budgeted and Revised Estimate of Rs 15,000 Cr
India's National Highways Authority (NHAI) has been allocated Rs 12,357 crore for FY 2025‑26 to monetize highway assets, falling short of the Rs 15,000 crore budgeted amount. The agency plans to monetize 24 road assets covering 1,472 km, with Maharashtra receiving the highest number of projects....
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Africa’s Trade Blocs Were Designed to Unite Continent: Four Reasons They Haven’t Delivered
The African Union’s 2019 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was built on eight regional economic communities, yet integration progress remains sluggish. A new analysis identifies four core obstacles: lingering colonial dependencies, the predominance of informal cross‑border trade, the tendency...
By The East African
News•Feb 17, 2026
L&G to Maintain Exposure to Catastrophe Bonds Despite Spread Tightening
Legal & General Investment Management will keep its catastrophe‑bond exposure despite recent spread compression. The firm’s portfolio, estimated at a minimum of $400 million, remains in diversified multi‑asset funds while it waits for more attractive entry points. Turner and Dietz note...
By Artemis (ILS/cat bonds)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Builder Sentiment Edges Lower on Affordability Concerns
Builder confidence for new single‑family homes slipped one point to 36 in February, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Affordability pressures—high price‑to‑income ratios and rising land and construction costs—drove the decline for a second consecutive month. While price‑cutting fell...
By Eye On Housing
News•Feb 17, 2026
Cloud Startup Render Raises Funding at $1.5 Billion Valuation as AI-Built Apps Boom
Render announced a $100 million financing round that lifts its valuation to $1.5 billion, reflecting the surge in AI‑generated applications. The San‑Francisco startup reports revenue growth exceeding 100 percent and a developer community of more than 4.5 million users. It runs on AWS and...
By CNBC – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
French Urea Imports Surge in 2H 2025
France’s urea imports surged to 1.15 million tonnes in the July‑December 2025 period, up from 842,000 tonnes a year earlier, as buyers rushed to stock ahead of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). December shipments more than doubled the three‑year monthly...
By Argus Media – News & analysis
News•Feb 17, 2026
Convergence: Navigating the Blurred Lines Between Public and Private Credit
In a recent InsuranceAUM interview, Chris Gudmastad, Head of Private Credit, discusses the growing convergence between public and private credit markets. He highlights how blended financing structures are blurring traditional asset class boundaries and reshaping investment opportunities. The conversation underscores...
By Loomis Sayles — Blog
News•Feb 17, 2026
Indian Rice Exporter Seals 5,000-Tonne US Deal: IREF
A member of the Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) has secured a contract to ship 5,000 tonnes of basmati rice to a United States buyer. The agreement arrives shortly after the India‑US trade pact lowered tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to...
By The Economic Times (India) – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
How Rising Costs Affect Home Affordability
Housing affordability remains a pressing concern, with 65% of U.S. households unable to afford a median-priced new home in 2026. Elevated mortgage rates amplify the impact of even modest home‑price increases, pushing more families out of the market. The National...
By Eye On Housing
News•Feb 17, 2026
Carlsberg Considering Listing of India Business to Unlock Shareholders Value: Group CEO
Carlsberg’s Group CEO Jacob Aarup‑Andersen confirmed the company is actively exploring an initial public offering of its Indian business, though no final decision has been made. The move aims to unlock shareholder value as the subsidiary posted high single‑digit volume...
By The Economic Times – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
India’s Data Centre Boom Raises Concerns over Power Supply and Grid Capacity
India’s data‑centre market is expanding rapidly, with annual capacity additions of about 0.5 GW. Today, data centres already draw up to 15% of local grid capacity and could consume 30‑35% by 2030. Roughly one‑third of the power comes from renewable PPAs,...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Politics of Interpretation: Who Governs the Korean DMZ?
The United Nations Command (UNC) and South Korea are locked in a legal dispute over who can approve access to the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). While the 1953 Armistice assigns entry authority to the UNC commander, Seoul’s National Assembly is...
By The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific
News•Feb 17, 2026
Why Abu Dhabi’s Next Play Is Managing Other People’s Money
International Holding Co., the UAE’s largest listed conglomerate, has launched Judan Financial, an AI‑enabled platform that consolidates its financial services assets. Chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Judan is valued at $27 billion and will manage roughly $237 billion in assets. The...
By Semafor Business
News•Feb 17, 2026
CFDs Broker GCI Trading Adds cTrader
Spotware has partnered with CFD broker GCI Trading to power its offering with the cTrader platform. The integration brings cTrader’s Traders First™ ethos, ultra‑fast execution and transparent trade lifecycle to GCI’s 24‑year‑old client base. GCI will now appear in the...
By FX News Group — Feed
News•Feb 17, 2026
Shahpurkandi Dam Set for Commissioning, Ravi Waters to Boost Irrigation in Jammu and Punjab
India’s Shahpurkandi Dam is slated for commissioning by March 31, 2026, enabling the diversion of surplus Ravi River flows that previously entered Pakistan. The project will channel this water into irrigation schemes across Jammu’s Kathua and Samba districts and Punjab’s drought‑prone...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
News•Feb 17, 2026
Underwriting Spreads Rise in 2025
Underwriting spreads for municipal bonds rose again in 2025, reaching an average of $4.30 per $1,000, up from $4.23 in 2024. Negotiated‑deal spreads increased to $4.64 while competitive‑deal spreads fell to $1.78. The uptick coincides with record issuance volumes—$586 billion in...
By The Bond Buyer (municipal finance)
News•Feb 17, 2026
East Coast LNG Export Ambitions Fade Further as Another Project Stalls
The Penn LNG export terminal in eastern Pennsylvania appears increasingly unlikely after the project's developer dissolved its corporate entity, halting any progress. Despite earlier claims that the project was still advancing, no permits, financing, or construction milestones have materialized. The...
By Natural Gas Intelligence (NGI)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Breaking News: Canadian CPI Eases From 3-Month High, USD/CAD Extends Gain...
Canada’s annual CPI slipped to 2.3% in January 2026, easing from a three‑month peak of 2.4% and landing just below market forecasts. The trimmed‑mean core rate fell to 2.4%, the lowest level since April 2021, indicating waning underlying price pressure....
By Myfxbook — Latest Forex News
News•Feb 17, 2026
America Needs to Get Creative on Hong Kong
The United States condemned the 20‑year sentence handed to Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai but its traditional punitive toolkit—sanctions and revoking Hong Kong’s special trade status—has done little to restore the city’s autonomy. Lawmakers are now proposing legislation that could...
By The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific
News•Feb 17, 2026
IPO-Bound Kissht's NBFC Arm Gets Crisil Rating Upgrade on Strong Growth
Kissht’s NBFC subsidiary Si Creva Capital Services received a CRISIL rating upgrade, moving its long‑term rating to A‑/Stable and short‑term to A1. The upgrade follows a surge in assets under management, which climbed to Rs 5,533 crore by September 2025, driven by rapid expansion...
By The Economic Times – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
Warner Bros Rejects Paramount Takeover Bid, Sets Week Deadline; Netflix Vote on 20 March
Warner Bros. Discovery rejected Paramount Skydance's $30‑per‑share acquisition proposal, signaling that the current offer does not meet its valuation expectations. The studio gave Paramount a seven‑day window, until February 23, to submit a revised, best‑and‑final bid. Paramount has indicated it could...
By Mint (LiveMint) – Companies