Financial Summary: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Countries are increasing their stockpiles of critical minerals amid a global trend of resource nationalism.

President Trump claims Iran is more eager for a deal than the U.S. as tensions rise ahead of negotiations in Switzerland.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling may allow India to continue importing Russian oil, affecting U.S. influence over India's energy strategy.

Chile is navigating its position amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China ahead of a summit with Latin American leaders.

UK MPs have approved the release of documents related to the controversial appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a trade envoy.

Software stocks are rebounding as Anthropic's new partnerships ease AI disruption concerns among investors.

David Luan, head of Amazon's AI lab, is leaving the company, raising concerns about the future of its AI initiatives.

UK AI start-up Wayve has raised $1.2 billion in Series D funding, achieving an $8.6 billion valuation ahead of its robotaxi launch.

Nvidia and Microsoft are among the investors in Wayve's funding round, highlighting the growing interest in autonomous vehicle technology.

AI firm Anthropic has reached a valuation of approximately $380 billion, surpassing the combined market cap of India's leading IT companies.

DoorDash has entered the restaurant reservation market, increasing competition with Resy and OpenTable.

Nvidia is set to report its quarterly results, continuing its strong performance among tech megacaps this year.

Thrive Capital has invested approximately $1 billion in OpenAI, valuing the company at $285 billion.

Samsung has launched its S26 smartphone, featuring advanced AI capabilities and raising concerns about a potential memory chip shortage.

Experts suggest easing the child penalty in the labor market to support working mothers and address declining birth rates.

Larry Summers resigns from Harvard amid controversy over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, expressing regret over the situation.

Nobel laureate Dr. Richard Axel resigns from Columbia University following revelations of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Higher-income workers are increasingly anxious about job security due to the rise of artificial intelligence.

A financial expert clarifies misconceptions about tax refunds, emphasizing the need for better public understanding.

The 2026 CNBC Changemakers event highlights women leaders making significant contributions in AI, healthcare, and sports.

A career expert warns that dramatic interview responses could harm job candidacy.

A financial advisor provides guidance to a college student on managing a $90K fund amidst personal challenges.

Lucid Motors sets ambitious production targets for 2026 despite missing earnings expectations.

Workday's stock drops significantly after the company issues weak revenue guidance and announces CEO Carl Eschenbach's departure.

Cava reports unexpected same-store sales growth, crediting its success to strategic menu pricing.

PayPal's stock rises nearly 7% following news of a potential acquisition by fintech startup Stripe.

Warner Bros is exploring a bid for Paramount, which could significantly alter the media acquisition landscape.

Spirit Airlines outlines its recovery strategy post-bankruptcy with a new deal with creditors.

Vedanta shares surged 5% after Bank of America upgraded the stock to 'Buy', citing a positive outlook for aluminium and silver prices.

HSBC reports a 7% drop in annual pre-tax profit but exceeds revenue estimates, indicating a need for improved capital ratios.

Waaree Energies plans to expand its US manufacturing to counteract the impact of a 126% solar import duty imposed by the US.

Santander aims for €20 billion in profit by 2028, focusing on customer growth and acquisitions in the US and UK.

Tata Consultancy Services is expected to announce a Rs 35 dividend and a share buyback, with a target price of Rs 3,593 from CLSA.

Stripe has reached a valuation of $159 billion following an employee tender offer, highlighting its strong market position.

Lowe's reported over 10% sales growth in the fourth quarter, outperforming expectations despite a sluggish housing market.

Gold prices increased slightly as investors adjusted their positions in early Asian trading.

The tech sector faced a selloff, raising concerns about future IPOs amid uncertainties surrounding AI.

The Nasdaq index rebounded after a significant AI chip deal between AMD and Meta, boosting investor confidence.

Indian IT stocks dropped sharply, with the Nifty IT index falling 4.7% due to concerns over AI impacts.

The Indian stock market rebounded sharply with the Sensex rising over 700 points, led by gains in IT and Metal sectors.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that current market conditions resemble those before the 2008 crisis, citing AI risks.

IBM shares dropped 13% amid concerns over AI disrupting its legacy systems, raising questions about its future potential.

U.S. stock markets rose ahead of Nvidia's earnings report, with major indices showing positive momentum.

Indian indices closed mildly higher, supported by gains in IT and auto stocks, while financials and energy sectors limited the upside.

Treasury yields increased as Federal Reserve officials raised concerns about inflation and the independence of the central bank.

The software sector faces a significant sell-off due to uncertainty regarding the long-term viability of its business models.