Financial Summary: Friday, February 20, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated former President Trump's tariffs, potentially leading to $175 billion in refunds and significant economic implications.

President Trump has issued a 15-day ultimatum to Iran for negotiations, raising concerns about possible military escalation in the region.

Japan's inflation rate has dropped to 1.5%, falling below the Bank of Japan's target for the first time since March 2022.

A major email leak has revealed a $90 billion Russian oil smuggling operation, implicating various companies in the scandal.

The U.S. has bolstered its military presence around Iran amid rising tensions and fears of conflict.

Meta has reduced staff stock awards by 5% for the second consecutive year as part of its ongoing cost-cutting measures.

Bank of America has pledged $25 billion to boost private credit lending amid concerns about sector stability.

Nando’s and KFC have exited a chicken welfare pledge in the UK due to ongoing supply chain challenges.

Bajaj Finserv is set to launch a $1 billion alternative investment platform to diversify its financial offerings.

Nvidia and OpenAI have scaled back their partnership from a $100 billion deal to a $30 billion investment.

ABB India shares surged 7% after the company reported record orders and strong demand for Q4.

Tata Investment Corporation shares jumped 18% amid speculation regarding N Chandrasekaran's potential third term as Tata Sons Chairman.

Novartis India shares rose nearly 18% following a stake sale announcement by its Swiss parent company.

Zydus Lifesciences received USFDA clearance for its Ahmedabad plant and launched India's first indigenous Aflibercept biosimilar.

Waaree Energies is in talks with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish a lithium-ion battery gigafactory.

Indian IT companies face scrutiny for returning Rs 4.8 lakh crore to shareholders while investing minimally in R&D.

Bath & Body Works has launched its products on Amazon to enhance customer accessibility and shipping speed.

Starbucks is promoting its new Afternoon Refresher, with investors optimistic about the company's growth potential.

Nvidia is in talks for a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, alongside a $100 billion infrastructure deal.

India's economic resilience and digital infrastructure are drawing significant global investment, bolstered by a budget focused on fiscal clarity.

Netweb Technologies has seen its market value increase by over 600%, highlighting its crucial role in India's growing AI sector.

Global investors are increasingly targeting India for AI opportunities, fueled by robust domestic demand.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 260 points amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions, contributing to higher oil prices.

Private credit stocks fell sharply after Blue Owl's announcement to halt fund redemptions, raising sector stability concerns.

Indian stock markets experienced volatility but the Sensex rebounded, gaining 317 points due to strong sector performance.

European stocks opened higher as investors monitored U.S.-Iran tensions and awaited upcoming earnings reports.

Gold prices dipped slightly as investors adjusted their positions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Hitachi Energy reached a 52-week high, reflecting a 43% rally over the past month, indicating strong investor interest.

Morgan Stanley's analysis suggests potential shifts in current stock market trends, prompting investor attention.

U.S. GDP growth for Q4 was reported at 1.4%, significantly below expectations, while inflation remains firm at 3%.

The US Supreme Court's ruling against Trump's tariffs led to a significant rally in global markets, including a 400-point jump in India's Gift Nifty.

Nike's stock volatility reflects market uncertainty regarding the implications of the Supreme Court's tariffs ruling.

The husband of the Labor Secretary is under investigation for sexual assault allegations, leading to his ban from the Department's headquarters.

Les Wexner's deposition reveals new details about Jeffrey Epstein's connections to Donald Trump, raising further questions.

A growing debate is challenging the value of university education, questioning traditional metrics of graduate earnings.

Micro-saving strategies are gaining popularity as effective methods for building personal emergency funds.

The student loan delinquency rate has surged to nearly 25%, with 7.9 million borrowers struggling to make payments.

The average IRS tax refund has increased by 14.2% this season, providing financial relief to many filers.