Company Developments - Amazon (AMZN) has officially surpassed Walmart (WMT) as the world's largest company by revenue, a shift attributed to the concept of "Amazon-ification," which emphasizes 24/7 availability and a robust fulfillment network [4] - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is considering a $20 billion sale of its orthopedics business [8] - Tesla (TSLA) has launched its most affordable Cybertruck and reduced the price of its Cyberbeast model [8] - Nvidia (NVDA) and OpenAI have reportedly abandoned a $100 billion deal in favor of new investment opportunities [8] - Netflix (NFLX) has sufficient cash reserves to increase its bid for Warner Bros. (WBD) [8] Industry Trends - The CME Group (CME) is moving towards round-the-clock trading, with crypto futures and options set to trade 24/7 starting May 29, reflecting a 46% year-over-year increase in average daily volume to 407,200 contracts [4] - Retail trading has gained traction, with platforms like Robinhood (HOOD) and Webull (BULL) facilitating overnight stock trading, and exchanges extending trading hours [5] - The National Securities Clearing Corporation is transitioning to a 24/5 operating schedule in June, which will enhance the guarantee of overnight trades and mitigate risks for brokerages [6] - The Securities Information Processor (SIP) is also moving towards 24-hour data dissemination from Sunday to Friday night, aligning with the industry's shift towards continuous trading [6]

This story was originally published on Cybersecurity Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Cybersecurity Dive newsletter. The U.S. Treasury Department has begun releasing guidance meant to help financial services companies securely use artificial intelligence while adhering to regulatory obligations. “Treasury will release a series of six resources developed in partnership with industry and federal and state regulatory partners to enable secure and resilient AI across the U ...

Economic Overview - The French private sector is experiencing "growth-less" stability, with the Composite Output Index rising to 49.9 in February from 49.1 in January, but remaining below the 50.0 threshold that indicates expansion [2][10] - The Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly fell to 49.9, missing the estimated 50.9 and declining from January's 51.2, indicating a potential premature industrial rebound [3][10] - The Services PMI improved to 49.6, surpassing the estimate of 49.2, and reached a two-month high, providing some support for the broader economy [3] Investment Sentiment - Investors in French equities, as tracked by the iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ), observed a decline in new business inflows for the third consecutive month, marking the fastest pace of decline since July [4] - The 2026 budget agreement has provided some political stability, but upcoming presidential succession is beginning to impact corporate confidence [4] Energy Sector Developments - Russian drone strikes targeted oil and gas infrastructure in Ukraine's Poltava region, causing significant damage to production equipment and resulting in fires [5][6] - This incident marks the 20th targeted strike on Naftogaz facilities in 2026, continuing to threaten regional energy stability, which is of concern to global energy companies like TotalEnergies, BP, and Shell [6] Fixed-Income Market Trends - The UK 5-year Gilt yield fell to 3.765%, the lowest since September 2024, as investors reacted to cooling domestic inflation, which dropped to 3.0% in January [7][8] - The decline in yields suggests a market consensus that the Bank of England may need to accelerate its rate-cutting cycle to support the economy, indicating a significant "flight to safety" among traders [8] Geopolitical Risks - Geopolitical uncertainty has increased, with prediction markets indicating a 57% chance of U.S. military action against Iran by March 31, 2026, a notable rise from earlier in the month [9][10] - Speculative betting has surged due to renewed rhetoric regarding Iran's nuclear program and reports of U.S. military buildup in the region, impacting crude oil prices and raising concerns about potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz [11]

Group 1: Nvidia and OpenAI Investment - Nvidia is finalizing a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, down from a previously discussed $100 billion commitment that was never executed, indicating a more cautious approach to equity financing [2][3] - The reduction in investment reflects a strategic pivot towards diversified AI infrastructure partnerships amid a crowded funding environment with other tech giants also seeking stakes in OpenAI [3] Group 2: Oil Market Dynamics - Oil prices have surged to multi-month highs, with Brent crude nearing $72 per barrel and U.S. WTI reaching $66.56, driven by escalating U.S.-Iran military tensions near the Strait of Hormuz [4][5] - The return of the "oil risk premium" has raised concerns among investors about potential disruptions in oil supply, which could lead to significant price increases and complicate the global inflation outlook [5] Group 3: HSBC Restructuring - HSBC has cut approximately 10% of its U.S. debt capital markets team as part of a broader initiative to achieve $1.8 billion in annual savings, indicating a strategic shift towards focusing on high-growth opportunities in Asia and the Middle East [6][7] - Despite the cuts in the U.S., HSBC remains a top-10 underwriter for U.S. corporate debt, prioritizing capital efficiency over global expansion [7] Group 4: Market Sentiment and Economic Data - Asian equity markets have traded lower due to rising geopolitical risks and concerns over private credit fund stability, leading to a retreat from riskier assets [10] - Investors are cautious ahead of critical U.S. economic data that could influence the Federal Reserve's decisions, with the intersection of rising energy costs and potential private credit contagion creating a complex trading environment [11]

Key TakeawaysJapan’s National CPI slowed to 1.5% in January, marking the slowest pace of inflation in two years and signaling a potential shift in the Bank of Japan’s hawkish trajectory.Gold prices hovered near the historic $5,000 mark as traders weighed geopolitical risks involving Iran against cautious interest rate signals from the Federal Reserve.Blue Owl Capital Inc. (OWL) shares plunged 10% following a redemption halt at its Blue Owl Capital Corp II fund, sparking liquidity concerns across the private ...

Shop owners of a 70-year-old "takoyaki", or octopus balls, restaurant chat while cooking along a street in the Taito Ward area of Tokyo on February 21, 2025.Japan's headline inflation rate fell to 1.5% in January, its lowest level since March 2022. The reading ended a run of 45 straight months in which inflation had remained above the Bank of Japan's 2% target.Core inflation rate, which excludes fresh food prices, eased to 2%, the lowest level since January 2024 and matching the 2% forecast by economists po ...

Company Updates - Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has committed to a "stronger, sharper, simpler" strategy focusing on iron ore, copper, and industrial metals after abandoning talks with Glencore [5] - Telstra (ASX: TLS) reported a 9.4% increase in net profits to $1.1 billion but cautioned that overinvestment in AI could be "risky" [5] - APA Group (ASX: APA) CEO Adam Watson defended the company's $480 million East Coast pipeline commitments, stating that government actions are crucial for the project's success [5] - QBE (ASX: QBE) has reported a 20% increase in profits [6] Market Trends - The ASX is experiencing a decline of -0.33% as global equities soften, influenced by rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran [1] - ASX futures are closely following Wall Street trends, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both down -0.3% [2] - Iron ore prices have decreased by -0.4%, now selling at $95.35 per tonne [7] - Brent Crude has increased by +1.5%, priced at $71.29 per barrel, while gold is up to $5,011 per ounce [7]

Core Insights - AI is significantly impacting entry-level jobs, particularly among young workers, with 63% of jobs in Ireland being "relatively exposed" to AI [1][4] - The tech and financial services sectors are experiencing notable effects from AI adoption, leading to job stagnation for young workers [2][4] Group 1: Employment Trends - Young workers (ages 15 to 29) in the tech sector are facing a 20% decline in employment from 2023 to 2025, while "prime-age" workers (ages 30 to 59) see a 12% increase [2] - Employment among 15-to 29-year-olds in high-AI risk sectors declined by 1% from 2023 to 2025, despite overall growth in these sectors [3][4] - High-AI risk sectors like financial services and tech experienced only 4% employment growth between 2023 and 2025, compared to 6.25% in low-risk sectors like construction and healthcare [4] Group 2: Labor Market Dynamics - AI-related labor market adjustments are primarily occurring through changes in hiring practices rather than displacing existing workers [7] - Youth unemployment in Ireland has reached nearly 12%, a figure that has been increasing since Q3 2024, indicating challenges for young job seekers [8] - Ireland has a high concentration of international companies in tech and financial services, with over 11% of job postings referencing AI-related terms, significantly higher than in the U.S. and Europe [6]

The strategic shift positions Klarna less as an installment lender and more as a multi-product financial network monetizing cross-sell dynamic.Klarna’s earnings highlight a banking flywheel where checkout activity, cards and deposits reinforce one another.Klarna’s fourth-quarter results offer a snapshot into the appeal of paying over time. They also provide a window into the mechanics of a rapidly scaling financial network, where checkout activity, cards and deposits increasingly reinforce one another.By co ...

Key TakeawaysTrump sets a 10–15 day deadline for Iran talks, warning of "Phase two" consequences if a deal is not reached; US Crude Oil Futures settled up 1.90% at $66.43.Federal Reserve announces a hybrid public outreach meeting for March 26, 2026, to review and potentially reduce burdensome banking regulations under EGRPRA.Senate Banking Committee schedules a February 26 hearing with Fed Governor Michelle Bowman and FDIC's Travis Hill to discuss "rightsizing" financial oversight.King Charles III is expect ...