The conflict in the Middle East has escalated significantly, with the United States and Israel launching major strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. President Trump has described these as “major combat operations” aimed at addressing security threats, including Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities, while urging Iranians to seize the opportunity for regime change. from the CNN homepage Iran has retaliated with ballistic missile strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region, including in Gulf Arab states such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. These actions have drawn condemnations from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, which have intercepted missiles and positioned themselves against what they describe as Iranian aggression. Explosions and impa

The 2025 State of Private Markets: Navigating Volatility, Leverage Risks, and the Credit Rebalancing Summary The report analyses the transformation of private markets in 2025, focusing on the impact of higher interest rates, the rise of private credit, the risks associated with Payment-in-Kind (PIK) provisions, and the evolving strategies for risk management and due diligence. It highlights how the sector is adapting to a new era of tighter liquidity, increased defaults, and a shift from growth-at-all-costs to capital preservation and transparency. Key Findings done with NoteBookLM 1. Macro Environment Shift The move from near-zero rates to a higher-rate paradigm has fundamentally changed private market valuations and liquidity needs. Public markets corrected sharply due to a lag in invest

My Investing Muse Layoffs, closures and Delinquencies NEW GRADUATES NOW ACCOUNT FOR JUST 7% OF NEW HIRES AT BIG TECH COMPANIES, DOWN FROM 25% IN 2023 AND OVER 50% PRE-PANDEMIC, PER FORBES. CREDIT CARD DEBT IS BECOMING A GROWING FINANCIAL RISK. MORE THAN 12% OF BALANCES ARE 90+ DAYS DELINQUENT — THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN 15 YEARS — WHILE AVERAGE INTEREST RATES ARE AROUND 21%. - First Squawk Walgreens to lay off hundreds of employees nationwide - MacroEdge America’s biggest wine maker shuts down production in Napa Valley in huge blow to wine heartland - California Post United Parcel Service (UPS) is planning to close dozens of packaging facilities this year, the shipping giant revealed in a court filing this week. - MacroEdge The 60+ day delinquency rate on US subprime auto loans is up to a recor

Economic Preview: Key Data Releases (week of 23Feb2026) China Market Holiday China will be closed on Monday, February 23, as the country continues its celebrations for the Chinese New Year. This closure may affect global market activity due to reduced participation from one of the world’s largest economies. CB Consumer Confidence The Consumer Board (CB) consumer confidence data for February will be released this week. The forecast stands at 86.0, which is an increase from the previous reading of 84.5. This index is significant because it reflects consumer confidence and provides insight into the overall outlook for the broader economy. Initial Jobless Claims Data on initial jobless claims will also be released, with the previous figure reported at 206,000. This indicator is closely monitor

My Investing Muse Layoffs, closures and Delinquencies 26% of the 7.5 million unemployed in the US actively searching for work have been looking for more than six months, per FT. The U.S. labour market faced a significant setback in January 2026, with employers announcing 108,435 job cuts—the highest January total since the Great Recession in 2009. - X user unusual whales FedEx plans to close over 475 stations due to Network 2.0 Plan - X user MacroEdge Salesforce lays off nearly 1,000 employees in early 2026 ahead of Q4 earnings report - X user MacroEdge Are the jobs in India permanent? Will the jobs be replaced by AI over the years? Image 9 large companies filed for bankruptcy in the US last week. This brings the 3-week average to 6, the highest rate since the 2020 pandemic. This means at

Economic Preview: Key Data Releases for January 2026 (week of 16Feb2026) Asian Market Closures for Chinese New Year Here is wishing all Chinese friends a blessed Chinese New Year. In observance of this festival, several major Asian markets will be closed during the upcoming week. China will be closed for the entire week, from Monday to Friday. Hong Kong will observe closures from Tuesday through Thursday, while Singapore will be closed from Tuesday to Wednesday for the Chinese New Year festivities. U.S. Public Holiday America will have a public holiday on Monday in celebration of Washington’s Birthday. Key Upcoming Economic Data Releases Durable Goods Orders: This important indicator serves as a key barometer for consumer activity within the United States. Core PCE Price Index: T