Trending Market News

TikTok's U.S. user base has stabilized following initial turbulence after its joint venture launch on January 23, with daily active users remaining at approximately 95% of pre-deal levels. Early concerns about mass user exodus due to censorship fears and service outages appear overstated, as engagement metrics have largely returned to normal. The joint venture, mandated by U.S. presidential order, transferred majority control from ByteDance to Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, each holding 15% stakes.

• Average daily usage rebounded to 80 minutes after briefly dropping to 77 minutes during the week of reported disruptions, while app deletions spiked temporarily but quickly tapered off
• Alternative platforms like UpScrolled saw initial surge of 770% in downloads but fell 80% the following week, while TikTok maintained steady download levels around 800,000-870,000 weekly
• New terms allow TikTok to collect precise location data and AI interaction information, raising concerns about potential algorithmic manipulation, though analysts found no evidence of meaningful content changes

A consortium led by Macquarie's asset management arm has signed a buyout agreement for Australian logistics firm Qube Holdings, valuing the company at A$11.7 billion ($8.26 billion). The scheme implementation agreement was announced on Monday, representing a major acquisition in Australia's logistics sector.

• The deal values Qube Holdings at A$11.7 billion ($8.26 billion USD)
• Macquarie's asset management division is leading the consortium acquiring the Australian logistics company
• A scheme implementation agreement has been formally signed between the parties

Warner Bros Discovery is considering reopening merger talks with Paramount Skydance after receiving an amended hostile takeover offer, according to Bloomberg News. The Warner Bros board is evaluating whether Paramount could provide a better deal than the current hostile bid. Paramount sweetened its offer last week, though it did not increase the per-share price.

• Warner Bros board members are discussing whether Paramount could offer a path to a 'superior deal' compared to the hostile suitor's proposal
• Paramount amended its Warner Bros bid last week by adding provisions, though the per-share offer price was not increased
• The discussions represent a potential reversal after previous sale talks between the two major Hollywood studios

Uber is expanding its food delivery business into seven new European countries in 2025, intensifying competition in the multibillion-euro food delivery market. The move reflects increased efforts by major tech companies to capture market share in Europe's growing delivery sector.

• Expansion targets seven new European markets, broadening Uber's geographic footprint in the region
• The initiative is part of broader competition among tech groups in Europe's multibillion-euro food delivery industry
• The expansion was reported by the Financial Times and announced in February 2025

Bank of America approved $41 million in total compensation for CEO Brian Moynihan for 2025, representing a 17.1% increase from his $35 million compensation in 2024. The raise aligns with similar pay hikes at rival banks including Wells Fargo, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase as Wall Street anticipates strong dealmaking activity ahead.

• Moynihan's compensation includes $1.5 million base salary with the remainder in equity incentives
• The 65-year-old CEO has led Bank of America since 2010, making him one of the industry's longest-serving leaders after steering the bank's recovery from the 2008 financial crisis
• The pay increase follows a broader trend among major Wall Street banks preparing for an expected bumper year in dealmaking while managing complex relationships with Washington

Lowe's is eliminating approximately 600 corporate and support roles, representing less than 1% of its total workforce, to reallocate resources toward frontline store employees. The move aligns with recent cost-cutting trends among major U.S. retailers, including Target and Home Depot, which have also reduced corporate staff to prioritize in-store operations. Affected employees will receive financial assistance, temporary benefits, and career transition support.

• The job cuts represent less than 1% of Lowe's total workforce, with the company stating the move will 'better align resources to support stores and associates who serve customers every day'
• Target recently eliminated around 1,800 corporate roles under new CEO Michael Fiddelke to fund more hours for frontline store employees, marking the company's first major layoff in about a decade
• Rival Home Depot cut 800 jobs at its Atlanta support center in late January and mandated corporate employees return to the office five days a week

President Donald Trump is facing unprecedented pushback from within the Republican Party as his approval ratings decline ahead of midterm elections. The backlash stems from multiple controversies including the DOJ's release of Jeffrey Epstein files, a House Republican vote to overturn his Canadian tariffs, and public outcry over immigration enforcement tactics. Democrats sense momentum as polls show them favored to win control of the House.

• Six House Republicans voted to overturn Trump's tariffs on Canada, with GOP leadership unable to prevent members from publicly defying his signature economic policy despite threats of retaliation
• Senator Thom Tillis is blocking Trump's Federal Reserve nominees, including his pick to replace Chair Jerome Powell, until the DOJ drops its investigation into Powell that Republicans view as politically motivated
• Newly released Epstein files revealed ties between the sexual predator and Trump administration officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick who admitted visiting Epstein's island in 2012

United Airlines has disclosed a contract dispute with Rolls-Royce over engines for its 45 Airbus A350 aircraft, creating uncertainty about the long-delayed order dating back to 2009. United is demanding a $175 million refund it paid Rolls-Royce in 2017, claiming breach of contract, while Rolls-Royce denies wrongdoing. Since Rolls-Royce is the sole engine supplier for the A350, the dispute raises questions about whether United can take delivery of the jets.

• United removed delivery timelines for 45 A350s from its regulatory filing, previously expected after 2026, citing the December 2024 breach by Rolls-Royce
• The A350 order has faced 16 years of changes and deferrals since 2009, fueling speculation United may cancel or convert it to other Airbus models like the A321neo
• The dispute involves a 2010 long-term engine and maintenance contract, with both sides now claiming the other owes them money in ongoing legal proceedings

A Pennsylvania jury awarded $250,000 to the family of Gayle Emerson, who died of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder for decades. This is the second ovarian cancer trial since J&J's latest bankruptcy attempt ended, with the company facing over 67,000 lawsuits alleging its talc products contained asbestos and caused cancer.

• The jury awarded $50,000 in compensatory damages and $200,000 in punitive damages, finding J&J failed to warn consumers despite knowing the dangers of its talc-based products
• J&J faces more than 67,000 lawsuits over talc products and has attempted bankruptcy three times to resolve litigation, all rejected by federal courts, with the most recent rejection in April 2024
• A January ruling allowed federal plaintiffs to present expert testimony linking baby powder to ovarian cancer, potentially opening the door for federal trials after multiple state court cases are scheduled in coming months

SpaceX is considering implementing a dual-class share structure for its planned IPO, which could value the company at over $1.5 trillion. The structure would allow founder Elon Musk to maintain control while raising capital. SpaceX is also expanding its board of directors to oversee the IPO process and support growth beyond its core rocket and satellite business.

• The planned IPO could value SpaceX at over $1.5 trillion, making it one of the largest public offerings in history
• A dual-class share structure would give certain shareholders (likely including Musk) greater voting power than their ownership percentage, similar to structures used by companies like Meta and Alphabet
• SpaceX is adding board members to oversee the IPO process, though deliberations are ongoing and details could still change

Costco is facing a class action lawsuit alleging salmonella contamination at its Nebraska chicken processing plant, with the facility reportedly failing USDA safety standards. The lawsuit claims more than 9.8% of whole chickens and 15.4% of chicken parts tested positive for salmonella. The retailer sold over 157 million rotisserie chickens worldwide in 2025 at $4.99 each.

• The Fremont, Nebraska plant 'consistently' fails USDA standards, with salmonella found in 9.8% of whole chickens and 15.4% of chicken parts according to the complaint
• Plaintiff seeks compensatory and triple damages for customers who purchased Kirkland Signature rotisserie or raw chicken since January 1, 2019, citing violations of Washington consumer protection laws
• This is the second recent lawsuit against Costco's chicken products, following a January suit claiming false advertising over preservatives in rotisserie chickens

Microsoft and Ericsson led 15 major tech companies in launching the 'Trusted Tech Alliance' on February 13, establishing five principles for safe technology use amid rising concerns about digital sovereignty and U.S. isolationism. The initiative aims to address government concerns about data storage and reduce pressure for technology borders as nations consider regulations to decrease dependence on foreign suppliers.

• Alliance members include Anthropic, Amazon Web Services, Google, Nokia, SAP, NTT, Reliance Jio, and Cohere, spanning connectivity, cloud, semiconductors, software, and AI sectors
• Five principles cover corporate governance, ethical conduct, secure development, global supply chain security standards, and support for an open digital environment
• Companies will self-attest to adherence with provisions for independent assessments, as Microsoft and Ericsson aim to counterweight the trend of countries 'pulling apart on technology issues'

The Trump administration is expected to add Alibaba and other companies to the Pentagon's 1260H list as soon as Friday, designating them as firms allegedly supporting China's military. While the list does not impose formal sanctions, it signals to U.S. government agencies and Pentagon suppliers which Chinese companies the military views as problematic.

• The Pentagon's 1260H list serves as a warning mechanism rather than a sanctions tool, influencing procurement decisions by U.S. government agencies and defense suppliers
• Alibaba will be among multiple companies added to the list, which has previously prompted legal challenges from listed firms
• The designation reflects ongoing U.S.-China tensions over military and technology competition, though it carries no direct financial penalties

Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill reached 38,220 U.S. prescriptions in its fifth week following launch, according to IQVIA data. This milestone indicates early uptake of the oral formulation of the popular weight-loss medication in the American market.

• The Wegovy pill generated 38,220 prescriptions in week five post-launch based on IQVIA tracking data
• This represents the oral pill version of Wegovy, expanding beyond the existing injectable formulation
• The prescription volume provides an early indicator of market adoption for Novo Nordisk's obesity treatment portfolio

Volkswagen reaffirmed its commitment to transforming toward more efficient and low-emission vehicles despite recent changes to U.S. climate policy under President Donald Trump. The German automaker stated it will maintain its long-term strategy regardless of political or regulatory shifts, while adapting to specific market conditions globally.

• VW pledged to continue its transformation course toward low-emission vehicles independent of political developments
• The company stated it will comply with regulatory requirements across all countries while accounting for local market conditions in strategic planning
• The statement comes as a response to Trump administration changes to U.S. climate policy

OPEC+ is leaning towards resuming oil production increases from April 2026, according to three sources, as the group prepares for peak summer demand and stronger prices driven by U.S.-Iran tensions. Eight member countries will meet March 1 to decide whether to proceed with quota increases after pausing them during the first quarter of 2026 due to weaker seasonal consumption.

• The eight OPEC+ members previously raised production quotas by about 2.9 million barrels per day (3% of global demand) from April through December 2025, then froze further increases for January-March 2026
• Brent crude is trading near $68 per barrel, close to a six-month high of $71.89 reached in January, defying earlier expectations of a supply glut suppressing prices this year
• No final decision has been made, and discussions will continue ahead of the March 1 meeting involving Saudi Arabia, Russia, UAE, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria, and Oman

The United States has granted India's Reliance Industries a general licence to purchase Venezuelan oil directly without violating sanctions. This follows the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Maduro and aims to facilitate Venezuela's oil exports while helping Reliance replace Russian crude supplies. The move aligns with President Trump's push for India to reduce Russian oil purchases and buy more from the U.S. and Venezuela.

• Reliance applied for the general licence in January and recently purchased 2 million barrels of Venezuelan oil through trader Vitol as an initial transaction
• The licence allows direct purchase of discounted Venezuelan heavy crude to replace Russian oil, supporting potential U.S.-India trade negotiations as Indian refiners cut Russian oil orders for April delivery
• Reliance operates the world's largest refining complex with 1.4 million barrels per day capacity and was a regular Venezuelan oil buyer before sanctions forced purchases to stop in early 2025

Three workers suffered burns during transport operations at ExxonMobil's Beaumont, Texas facility on Thursday evening, according to local media reports. Emergency crews responded to the incident, though details about the cause, severity of injuries, and worker conditions remain unavailable. ExxonMobil has not yet commented on the incident.

• The injured workers were conducting transport operations when the incident occurred at the Beaumont facility
• Local news outlet 12newsnow and other media reported the fire, but specific details on burn severity and current worker conditions were not disclosed
• ExxonMobil was not immediately available for comment following the incident

NatWest Group reported a 24% increase in annual pretax operating profit to 7.7 billion pounds for 2025, beating analyst expectations of 7.5 billion pounds. The British bank raised its return on tangible equity target to greater than 18% by 2028 and announced a 750 million pound share buyback as it expands aggressively into wealth management.

• NatWest acquired Evelyn Partners for 2.7 billion pounds, marking its largest deal since the 2008 government bailout, as part of its wealth management expansion strategy
• Assets under management and administration grew 20% to 58.5 billion pounds in 2025, even before the Evelyn Partners acquisition closed
• The bank increased its ambitious performance target to a return on tangible equity greater than 18% by 2028, up from previous guidance of greater than 15% by 2027

Goldman Sachs' Chief Legal Officer Kathy Ruemmler is resigning following the release of Department of Justice documents revealing her communications with Jeffrey Epstein, including a phone call he made to her after his 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges. The departure marks another high-profile casualty from Epstein associations, despite Goldman's previous defense of Ruemmler and her statements that she had no knowledge of his criminal conduct.

• Ruemmler was one of three people Epstein called on July 6, 2019, immediately after being arrested by federal authorities at a New Jersey airport on child sex trafficking charges
• Goldman CEO David Solomon had previously defended Ruemmler in November after earlier document releases, calling her an 'exceptional general counsel'
• The resignation follows a pattern of high-profile departures linked to Epstein, including British official Peter Mandelson and law firm chairman Brad Karp losing positions over similar associations