Financial Summary: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

US Senator Marco Rubio faces challenges in strengthening diplomatic ties with Europe, raising concerns about transatlantic cooperation.

The EU privacy watchdog has initiated a major investigation into X over sexualized AI images produced by its Grok chatbot.

Iran has partially closed the Strait of Hormuz for military drills while reporting advancements in nuclear negotiations with the U.S.

European stocks opened higher as investor optimism rises ahead of forthcoming earnings reports.

A data leak during Abu Dhabi Finance Week has exposed personal documents of politicians and business leaders, raising privacy concerns.

Analysts caution that China's rapid tech advancements may threaten U.S. leadership in AI, potentially altering the global tech landscape.

Figma collaborates with Anthropic to integrate AI-generated code into its design platform amid a decline in software stock performance.

Anthropic has launched Claude Sonnet 4.6, enhancing its AI model's coding accuracy and instruction-following capabilities.

Investors are boosting their investments in a leading AI company, despite its stock continuing to fall from previous highs.

U.S. futures rose as markets were closed for Presidents Day, while trading in China and South Korea was halted for the Lunar New Year.

The U.K. regulator is considering allowing Chinese accounting standards for listings to attract more Chinese companies to the market.

Fund managers are adopting a bearish outlook on the U.S. dollar, marking the most negative sentiment in a decade.

European natural gas prices fell nearly 5% as supply remains steady despite tight storage conditions.

Indian IT stocks face a potential $56 billion market value drop due to AI fears, but analysts suggest it may be a buying opportunity.

The Reserve Bank of India has introduced new rules requiring 100% collateral for loans to brokers, impacting capital market trading dynamics.

Indian benchmark indices closed higher, with the Sensex gaining 174 points, driven by strong performances in IT and PSU bank stocks.

U.S. Treasury yields have decreased as investors await delayed economic data during the holiday-shortened trading week.

Indian stock benchmarks continued their upward trend, supported by gains in IT, consumer, and financial sectors, despite facing resistance near the 50DMA.

A stock position was trimmed for the first time since last October, securing a 55% gain.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a key figure in the civil rights movement, has died at 84, leaving a legacy in social justice advocacy.

Parents with student loans are urged to consider affordable repayment options and forgiveness programs to alleviate financial stress.

Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics will have the chance to win significant cash prizes for their medal performances.

Career expert Erin McGoff shares key phrases to help professionals enhance their influence and respect in the workplace.

Readers highlight self-reliance and resilience as crucial elements for fostering economic optimism in current times.

Stephen Colbert disclosed that CBS prevented an interview with Texas Rep. James Talarico regarding the state's political landscape.

Tech CEOs, including Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai, are in India for a major AI summit, highlighting the country's growing influence in the AI sector.

Adani Group has announced a $100 billion investment in AI data centers over the next decade to enhance India's position in the global AI landscape.

Indian IT stocks, including TCS and Infosys, faced a $56 billion market loss amid global concerns regarding AI developments.

Industry leaders in India express optimism about AI's potential to reduce healthcare costs and emphasize the need for collaboration between academia and industry.

India is negotiating with social media companies to implement age-based restrictions, following Australia's lead in banning users under 16 from major platforms.

BHP reports a significant increase in first-half profit, driven by strong copper demand.

Hyatt Chairman Thomas Pritzker resigns amid controversy over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Elliott Management acquires over 10% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line, hinting at a potential proxy fight.

Goldman Sachs plans to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria from its board member selection process.

Infosys shares rose 3% following a strategic partnership with AI firm Anthropic to enhance enterprise AI solutions.

Adani Group stocks surged by up to 3% following the announcement of a $100 billion investment plan for AI-ready renewable data centres by 2035.

Danaher announced its acquisition of Masimo in a $9.9 billion all-cash deal, expanding its portfolio in the healthcare sector.

Amazon reported a staggering $450 billion loss in value during a historic downturn, partly due to its $200 billion investment in AI initiatives.

Palantir Technologies is relocating its headquarters from Denver to Miami, joining other companies in transforming South Florida into an innovation hub.