latest news in economy
Federal Reserve Signals Alarm as Stock Market Valuations Reach Historic Extremes
Washington D.C., Sunday, 22 February 2026.
With the S&P 500’s forward price-to-earnings ratio exceeding 22—a historical precursor to bear markets—Federal Reserve officials are actively warning that current equity valuations may be unsustainable.
US Dollar Dominance Faces Historic Pressure as Global Trade Dynamics Shift
New York, Sunday, 22 February 2026.
As gold breaches $5,060 and the dollar posts its steepest decline in eight years, the greenback’s status as the global reserve anchor is fracturing. With US deficits projected to hit $3.1 trillion, investors are actively pivoting toward a multipolar financial order to hedge against escalating volatility.
New US Economic Data Signals Sustained Balance Between Growth and Stability
New York, Saturday, 21 February 2026.
As of February 2026, the United States economy is exhibiting a classic “Goldilocks” dynamic, characterized by resilient growth and stabilizing inflation. Despite a sharp cooling in fourth-quarter GDP to 1.4% due to the government shutdown, recent data from the Philadelphia Fed and a stable unemployment rate of 4.3% suggest the economy is successfully skirting recessionary risks. This equilibrium has bolstered market confidence, evidenced by a resurgence in IPO activity and sustained retail investment in software stocks. With the Federal Reserve expected to maintain rates in the immediate term—markets price a 96% probability of no change in March—the current landscape offers a stable, albeit complex, backdrop for corporate planning and equity market performance.
Record Government Shutdown Obscures Underlying Economic Resilience
Washington, Saturday, 21 February 2026.
While the Commerce Department’s latest report shows U.S. GDP growth decelerated to a 1.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2025, the headline figure is deceptive. This slowdown from the third quarter’s robust 4.4% expansion was primarily driven by a singular, temporary distortion: the historic 43-day government shutdown. Analysts estimate this political gridlock subtracted nearly a full percentage point from the final tally, masking an otherwise resilient economic foundation. Crucially, the private sector remains solid; consumer spending—the engine of the U.S. economy—rose by 2.4%, and business investment continued to expand, fueled by heavy spending on artificial intelligence. Rather than signaling a collapse in demand, the data suggests a pause induced by technical factors. With the shutdown resolved and tax refund season approaching, economists forecast a sharp rebound in early 2026, indicating the underlying momentum remains intact despite the optical slump.
Stiglitz Warns Blue-Collar Job Crisis Will Deepen Despite Policy Interventions
Washington D.C., Saturday, 21 February 2026.
Citing a loss of 166,000 blue-collar jobs over the last year, Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz warns the economy will deteriorate further as tariffs fail to counter the impact of automation.
Trump Counters Supreme Court Defeat With Immediate Plan for New 10% Global Tariff
Washington D.C., Friday, 20 February 2026.
Hours after the Supreme Court struck down his trade policy, Trump invoked Section 122 to reimpose a 10% global tariff, layering new costs atop existing national security duties.
US Becomes Sole Major Market Facing Tourism Decline Amid Stricter Border Policies
Washington, Friday, 20 February 2026.
The U.S. stands as the only major destination witnessing a travel contraction, with Canadian visits plummeting 28 percent in January 2026 due to intensified border scrutiny and policy shifts.