latest news in economy
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.
Middle-Class Income Gap Fuels $4.7 Billion Plasma Sales Boom
Washington, Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Persistent inflation has created a startling shadow economy where middle-class households now rely on selling blood plasma to bridge financial gaps. In a telling shift, Americans earned an estimated $4.7 billion from plasma sales last year, driving collection centers to aggressively expand into suburban neighborhoods and college towns.
