After the Supreme Court curtailed the use of emergency powers for tariffs, President Trump first announced a 10% across-the-board tariff to take effect Feb. 24, then moved a day later to boost the new levy to 15% to preserve his trade agenda. The rapid escalation raises risks for supply chains and consumer prices and could invite retaliation from key partners; Europe has already signaled it has tools to respond. Markets will watch implementation details, potential carve-outs, and any congressional pushback in the days ahead.
Source: American Banker
Private Credit Jitters Hit Asset Managers
Asset-manager stocks slumped this week as investors fretted over liquidity and valuation risks in private-credit funds, with Blue Owl in focus. The selloff reflects broader concerns about funding mismatches and tighter financial conditions, prompting de-risking across parts of financials despite continued growth in the asset class. Expect closer scrutiny of disclosures, cash management practices, and redemption terms.
Source: MarketWatch
Tech Layoffs Top 26,000 in 2026 as Amazon, ASML Lead Cuts
Tech’s retrenchment accelerated as layoffs this year surpassed 26,000, with Amazon and ASML among the latest to trim headcount. The moves aim to protect margins after an AI-fueled capex surge and cooling growth, and come amid a more selective funding and demand backdrop. Investors are watching hiring freezes, opex guidance, and signals on AI investment pacing.
Source: Seeking Alpha
OpenAI Reins in Near-Term Spend, Testing AI Capex Assumptions
OpenAI has moderated its spending expectations, according to CNBC, hinting at a more disciplined trajectory for compute and model-training outlays. The shift could ripple through hyperscaler capex and the broader AI startup ecosystem, challenging assumptions of straight-line growth in compute demand.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Blackstone’s $11.5B TXNM Energy Deal Wins FERC Approval
TXNM Energy secured Federal Energy Regulatory Commission clearance for its $11.5 billion sale to Blackstone, advancing one of the year’s largest energy-infrastructure transactions. The approval underscores private equity’s continued push into midstream and grid assets as investors seek inflation-linked, long-duration cash flows.
Source: Seeking Alpha
U.S. Rolls Back Mercury Limits for Power Plants
The administration’s environmental regulator rolled back mercury-emission rules for power plants, easing compliance burdens for coal-heavy generators. Legal challenges are likely, and the change could alter utilities’ capex planning and ESG risk premia across the sector.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Microsoft Shuffles Gaming Leadership as Phil Spencer Retires
Microsoft named a new head of its gaming unit as longtime leader Phil Spencer retires, marking a pivotal transition following the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The change will shape Xbox strategy, content pipelines, and monetization across console, PC, and cloud.
Source: Seeking Alpha
You May Also Be Interested In...
France says EU has tools to respond to Trump’s latest tariffs
Real estate stocks continue to advance
Nvidia: Are investors becoming immune to strong results?
Bitcoin ETFs post fifth straight week of net outflows
NASA’s Artemis II launch faces delay after technical issue
Hong Kong, UAE deepen financial links with digital-assets focus