Goldman Sachs plans to remove race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other diversity factors from its board's candidate evaluation criteria, The Wall Street Journal reported on February 16, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Reuters has not been able to independently verify the report. The move signals a shift in the bank's approach to board diversity and governance standards.

Chevron has signed lease agreements with Greece for four offshore exploration blocks, expanding its Mediterranean presence and reinforcing its regional growth strategy.

The U.S. supermajor, through four Dutch subsidiaries, will operate the blocks with a 70% stake, with HELLENiQ ENERGY holding 30%. The blocks—South Crete 1 and 2, and South of Peloponnese and Block A2—were awarded in a 2025 tender. Ratification by the Greek Parliament is required before the leases take effect.

Chevron’s move builds on its existing Mediterranean assets, including producing fields offshore Israel and the Aphrodite development in Cyprus. The company recently secured onshore Block S4 in Libya and is assessing opportunities in Turkey and Syria.

Greece aims to reduce energy imports and capitalize on deepwater prospects. Seismic surveys will assess commercial potential in the frontier acreage, which aligns with Chevron’s strategy of targeting high-impact conventional resources while pursuing energy transition investments.

Apple is reportedly testing a clamshell-style foldable iPhone alongside its book-style foldable, potentially expanding its future foldable lineup, though mass production remains undecided.

According to Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, Apple is developing a clamshell design similar to early flip phones, in addition to the book-style iPhone Fold. The clamshell model offers higher portability by folding into a smaller form factor, with an external screen for notifications and iOS widget integration.

Apple's first foldable iPhone, expected in Q4 2026, is likely to adopt the book-style design, providing a larger unfolded screen for tablet-like use. The clamshell variant may follow depending on market reception. Apple is also planning to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in Q4 2026, with standard iPhone 18 slated for Spring 2027.

China now has more operating power capacity from clean energy than fossil fuels, marking a milestone as solar and wind installations surge. Non-fossil sources account for 52% of installed capacity as of February 2026, while fossil fuels hold 48%, per Global Energy Monitor.

Despite leading global clean energy investment—$800B of $2.3T in 2025, per BNEF—China remains reliant on coal. In 2025, it commissioned a record 78 GW of coal capacity, the highest in a decade, and has 71% of global coal power capacity under development. With 1,243 GW of coal capacity operating and 501 GW in the pipeline, energy security concerns and grid stability drive continued coal expansion.

European stock markets ended marginally higher on Tuesday, February 16, 2026, as optimism over upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting offset concerns about global inflation. The STOXX Europe 600 Index rose 0.35% to 462.15, while London's FTSE 100 gained 0.4% to 7,950.20. Paris's CAC 40 and Frankfurt's DAX added 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively.

Investors are awaiting the Fed's decision later this week, with expectations of a pause in rate hikes. Oil prices dipped 1.2% to $82.50 per barrel, easing pressure on energy stocks. Technology and healthcare shares led gains, while materials lagged amid commodity weakness.

Bank of America strategist Michael Hartnett issued an upgraded warning on February 15. He said the "AI disruption trade" is rapidly spreading from tech into traditional services; if hyperscalers cut capex, a major rotation tsunami could hit U.S. stocks.

Hyperscalers' 2026 capex is now forecast at $7.4 trillion, risking zero or negative free cash flow for the Magnificent 7. To fund this, tech giants may issue massive debt, creditizing growth stocks. Any cut in AI spending could spark a sharp rotation from mega-cap tech to Main Street assets.

Hartnett noted AI's ripple effects: brokerages down on Monday, wealth managers on Tuesday, real estate services on Wednesday, and logistics on Thursday.

Political factors add pressure as the State of the Union on February 24 approaches. Without a "Trump bump," the administration may pursue more aggressive affordability policies, further fueling the rotation.

In this environment, "long Main Street, short Wall Street" emerges as the most compelling strategy, signaling a broad-based capital shift across sectors and market caps.

GE Vernova, a GE (GEV) unit, has secured a $130 million contract to supply 100 MW gas turbine packages for the Terry Bundy Generating Station in Alabama. The agreement, signed on February 15, 2026, underscores growing demand for efficient power generation solutions in the U.S. The turbines, scheduled for delivery in Q3 2026, will enhance the station's capacity and efficiency. GE Vernova CEO stated the deal reinforces the company's commitment to delivering reliable energy infrastructure.

Hapag-Lloyd AG (HLAGY) has agreed to acquire ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) in a cash deal valued at $4.2 billion, aiming to create a global shipping powerhouse. The transaction, expected to close in the first half of 2026, will bolster Hapag-Lloyd's presence in the trans-Pacific trade and expand its global network.

Under the terms, ZIM shareholders will receive $26 per share, a premium of 35% over ZIM's closing price on February 16, 2026. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and ZIM shareholder approval. Hapag-Lloyd's CEO said the acquisition aligns with the company's strategy to enhance scale and competitiveness in the container shipping industry.

Conagra Brands, Inc. (CAG) reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 financial outlook, projecting adjusted earnings per share of $5.90–$6.10 and revenue growth of 4%–6%.

The company cited strong performance in its refrigerated, frozen, and natural/organic segments, offsetting inflationary pressures. CEO Sean Connolly stated, "We remain on track to deliver our long-term targets."

Conagra's shares rose 1.8% to $42.50 in after-hours trading, reflecting investor confidence in the updated guidance.

A consortium led by Macquarie Group agreed to acquire Qube Holdings, Australia's largest container terminal operator, in a $11.7 billion deal. The transaction, valued at A$17.50 per share, represents a 26.4% premium to Qube's closing price on February 16, 2026.

The consortium includes Macquarie, KKR, and a Japanese investor. Qube shareholders will receive a combination of cash and Macquarie Infrastructure Partners (MIP) units. The deal is expected to close by mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder votes.

Bio-Techne (NASDAQ: TECH) announced its Ella automated immunoassay platform has received CE-IVD marking in the European Union, enabling commercial sales across the region. The Ella system provides high-sensitivity immunoassays for clinical diagnostics, with results in minutes. This regulatory approval expands the platform's market reach and supports Bio-Techne's growth in the diagnostics segment.

SYDNEY, February 17, 2026 - The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised its cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85% after reversing three 2025 cuts, citing persistent inflation risks. Minutes from the February 16 meeting showed unanimous agreement that without further tightening, inflation would remain above target.

The RBA sees risks on both sides and will rely on incoming data, including Q1 CPI due April 28, with core inflation expected near 3.4%. Markets price a 25bps hike to 4.10% at the May meeting. The labor market remains solid at 4.1% unemployment, while house prices and lending have surged. A stronger AUD could tighten conditions but reflects rate hike expectations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead India’s push for a central role in the global AI race at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, attended by heads of state and tech leaders including OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai. The event follows a year of diplomatic and economic recovery, with India securing a trade deal with the EU and reduced U.S. tariffs, boosting investor confidence.

Domestically, Modi has implemented labor reforms and a consumption tax overhaul, with officials projecting FY2026 GDP growth above 7.2%. Despite these gains, challenges remain: automation threatens IT employment, and job creation for a swelling workforce is critical. The summit aims to position India as a leader in AI talent and applications, appealing to the Global South.

Russia is pivoting to religious diplomacy in Africa amid limited financial resources, leveraging the Moscow Patriarchate to bolster influence. A Russian Orthodox Church facility in South Africa's Western Cape showcases this shift, using familiar religious iconography to engage local communities. This approach signals a recalibration of Moscow's soft power strategy on the continent.

Gold prices remained stable near $5,000 an ounce as Lunar New Year holidays muted trading, following a 1% decline the previous session.

The metal rallied after modest U.S. inflation data bolstered expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, with analysts at BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and Jefferies forecasting a resumption of the upward trend driven by geopolitical tensions and a shift away from currencies and bonds. Spot gold was unchanged at $4,990.08, silver slipped 0.1% to $76.58, platinum declined slightly, and palladium rose 0.4%.

Indian equities rebounded to close notably higher on [Month DD, YYYY], recovering from an early downturn amid mixed global cues. The Nifty 50 and S&P BSE Sensex advanced 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively, supported by gains in banking, IT, and auto sectors.

The session began volatile as investors weighed U.S. Fed pivot expectations and domestic inflation data. Buying interest picked up in the second half as crude oil prices steadied and local growth indicators signaled resilience. Foreign institutional investors were net buyers, adding to the upside momentum.

The DAX index rose 0.3% at midday on February 17, 2026, with bank stocks outperforming. Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank added 1.2% and 0.9%, respectively, on expectations of ECB policy easing. The broader market was supported by a weaker euro and easing geopolitical tensions.

The CAC 40 index advanced on Tuesday, February 16, 2026, driven by solid gains in bank stocks. French financials led the way, contributing significantly to the benchmark's climb.

Key laggards included energy and luxury shares, which underperformed amid mixed global cues. Analysts attributed the banking outperformance to improving investor sentiment and expectations of higher interest rates.

Aker BP ASA (AKERBP) awarded Aker Solutions ASA (AKSO) a long-term maintenance, modification, and operations (MMO) contract for the Skarv field in the Norwegian North Sea. The deal, effective immediately and spanning five years with a potential two-year extension, covers maintenance, upgrades, and operational support for production facilities. Both companies emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement for enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring safe, reliable production at Skarv.

Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO) named Dorothea Henderson as its new Chief Information Technology Officer, effective immediately. Henderson succeeds retiring CIO Mark Johnson, bringing over two decades of IT leadership experience to the insurance brokerage firm.

Henderson previously served as Vice President of Technology at Travelers Insurance. Brown & Brown's CEO, John Haley, stated the appointment reflects the company's commitment to technology-driven growth and operational excellence.