latest news in economy
China Looks to Lunar New Year Festivities to Jumpstart Consumer Economy
Beijing, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
As the Lunar New Year commences on February 17, 2026, Beijing is leveraging the “Year of the Fire Horse” to revitalize domestic consumption amidst mixed economic signals. While authorities have deployed over 360 million yuan in consumer vouchers and project a record 9.5 billion passenger trips, early 2026 data suggests lingering caution. Notably, retail sales for New Energy Vehicles fell 20% in January—the first year-over-year decline since 2024—while Tesla saw a dramatic 45% sales crash as local competitors like Xiaomi gain ground. Markets are now watching to see if the holiday’s traditional surge in mobility can overcome these structural headwinds and catalyze the sustained recovery policymakers envision for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.
Justin Sun Leverages Hong Kong Rules to Spark Bitcoin Rally Toward $70,000
Hong Kong, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Bitcoin targets $70,000 following Justin Sun’s Hong Kong keynote on regulatory compliance. Sun, who entered the market at $0.20, now positions blockchain as the essential financial infrastructure for AI.
Nasdaq Extends Slide as Investors Question AI Profitability and Returns
New York, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
As US markets reopen post-holiday, the Nasdaq Composite is extending its longest weekly decline since 2022. Wall Street is undergoing a pivotal ‘reality check’ regarding the artificial intelligence sector, driven by startling data that only 14% of CFOs saw measurable returns on AI investments last year. This skepticism over valuation and monetization is triggering a rotation into defensive assets, as doubts linger despite massive capital spending projections from tech giants.
Global Capital Shifts as Investors Look Beyond the US Market
New York, Monday, 16 February 2026.
Recent data reveals a stark pivot in global finance: the S&P 500’s dominance is waning as capital floods into Emerging Markets and European credit. With January alone seeing nearly $100 billion enter emerging economies following a massive 33.5% return in 2025, investors are aggressively diversifying away from high US valuations to capture growth elsewhere.
Japan Narrowly Escapes Recession as Domestic Spending Counters Export Decline
Tokyo, Monday, 16 February 2026.
Japan narrowly avoided a technical recession in the final quarter of 2025, posting a fragile 0.2% annualized growth rate reported this Monday, February 16, 2026. While private housing rebounded significantly and AI-driven demand boosted capital expenditure by 0.2%, these domestic gains were nearly erased by a sharp 1.1% drop in exports, exacerbated by ongoing tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration. The most intriguing divergence lies in the data: while real economic activity remains anemic, nominal GDP surged by an annualized 2.3%, driven by inflation and corporate profits. This disconnect highlights the precarious nature of Japan’s recovery, which fell significantly short of the market’s 1.6% growth expectation.
U.S. Productivity Growth Doubles as AI Enters Economic Harvest Phase
Palo Alto, Monday, 16 February 2026.
Analysis reveals 2025 productivity growth hit 2.7%, nearly doubling the prior decade’s average. This surge signals the economy has officially transitioned from AI experimentation to structural utility.
MIT Study Uncovers Hidden Infrastructure Risks in Mainstream Stablecoin Markets
Cambridge, Monday, 16 February 2026.
With monthly stablecoin payments reaching $2.1 trillion, MIT researchers warn of critical “hidden plumbing” vulnerabilities persisting in digital asset infrastructure despite the recent GENIUS Act.