Economics 17 February 2026 - 20 February 2026

Reynolds Consumer Products Faces Key Cost Issue at Start of June
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Reynolds Consumer Products Faces Key Cost Issue at Start of June

Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. is set to open Monday at $21.67, after sliding 1.95% on Friday. That loss capped a short Memorial Day week where the stock ended down about 0.6% from the previous Friday’s close. With not much in the way of new company news, the setup is now in focus. The main thing for investors is whether they reward Reynolds for a strong Q1 or keep the pressure on the stock as June gets underway with aluminum and resin costs still up.
June 1, 2026
Oil prices cling to six-month highs as Trump weighs Iran strike; Brent above $71
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Oil prices cling to six-month highs as Trump weighs Iran strike; Brent above $71

HOUSTON, February 20, 2026, 12:34 — Regular session Oil slipped a bit Friday, but prices hovered close to six-month peaks—Brent futures off 19 cents at $71.47 a barrel, U.S. WTI down 14 cents to $66.29 as of 11:36 a.m. CST. A U.S. Supreme Court decision on Trump’s emergency tariff powers had little effect on trading. Both contracts still showed a weekly gain of roughly 5.3%.
February 20, 2026
UK PMI hits a 22-month high in February — but job cuts won’t stop
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UK PMI hits a 22-month high in February — but job cuts won’t stop

Britain’s private sector picked up speed in February, hitting its quickest growth in nearly two years, according to a flash business survey out Friday. Despite that momentum, firms kept trimming jobs. The data points to the economy regaining some ground early in 2026 after stumbling late last year, and the focus stays fixed on whether the Bank of England might move to cut borrowing costs soon.
February 20, 2026
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500 futures slide after GDP slows and PCE inflation runs hot
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Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500 futures slide after GDP slows and PCE inflation runs hot

Stock index futures in the U.S. edged lower Friday morning, after fresh data pointed to a sharper-than-expected slowdown in fourth-quarter economic growth and a hotter inflation reading for December. As of 8:34 a.m. ET, S&P 500 E-mini futures slipped 0.28%, Nasdaq 100 E-minis lost 0.39%, and Dow E-minis declined 0.23%. Investors are watching these numbers closely, looking for clues on just how long the Federal Reserve might hold rates up. Slower growth tends to bring those rate-cut bets forward. But if inflation stays firm, those expectations get pushed out.
February 20, 2026
Dow Jones closes down 274 points as Blue Owl redemption halt hits private credit; PCE inflation up next
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Dow Jones closes down 274 points as Blue Owl redemption halt hits private credit; PCE inflation up next

New York, Feb 19, 2026, 16:14 — Trading after the bell. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 273.79 points, or 0.55%, to finish at 49,388.87 on Thursday, with private-capital names sliding after Blue Owl Capital took steps to sell assets and halt redemptions at a fund. The S&P 500 edged down 0.28%, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.31%. Apple and Nvidia put notable pressure on the major indexes. “The market is trying to grapple with what business lines are under threat,” said Keith Buchanan, senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments.
February 19, 2026
US economic calendar today: S&P 500 slips as jobless claims fall, Blue Owl shakes private credit
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US economic calendar today: S&P 500 slips as jobless claims fall, Blue Owl shakes private credit

NEW YORK, Feb 19, 2026, 14:02 EST — Regular session Thursday saw the main indexes down on Wall Street, with traders juggling a packed U.S. economic schedule and renewed jitters in private credit. By early afternoon, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was off 0.65%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.42%, and the Nasdaq Composite shed 0.45%.
February 19, 2026
Oil prices jump to six-month high as Iran tensions flare and U.S. stocks slide
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Oil prices jump to six-month high as Iran tensions flare and U.S. stocks slide

New York, Feb 19, 2026, 13:59 EST — Regular session Oil climbed roughly 2% Thursday, pushing both Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate to six-month peaks as traders zeroed in on mounting U.S.-Iran tensions. Brent futures advanced $1.25, or 1.8%, to hit $71.60 a barrel at 1:29 p.m. EST. WTI moved up $1.22, or 1.9%, to $66.41. “The market will continue to rally in anticipation of something happening,” said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.
February 19, 2026
Dow Jones today: DJIA slides as financials wobble and a key inflation report nears
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Dow Jones today: DJIA slides as financials wobble and a key inflation report nears

NEW YORK, February 19, 2026, 12:27 EST — Regular session The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 236.36 points, or 0.48%, to 49,426.30 as of 11:41 a.m. ET Thursday. Financial stocks and some tech names weighed on the blue chips. Private-equity shares came under pressure after Blue Owl Capital announced plans to sell $1.4 billion in assets and halt redemptions at a fund. Chip stocks continued to slide—the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index slipped 0.7%. Deere & Co surged over 12% following a higher profit outlook for the year. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were slightly in the red.
February 19, 2026
Gold price holds above $5,000 as US-Iran tensions collide with Fed inflation test
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Gold price holds above $5,000 as US-Iran tensions collide with Fed inflation test

New York, Feb 19, 2026, 12:31 EST — Regular session Spot gold edged up 0.6% to $5,007.46 an ounce as of 11:14 a.m. EST. U.S. gold futures for April ticked 0.3% higher, landing at $5,025.80. Investors kept an eye on U.S.-Iran tensions, a steeper-than-expected fall in weekly U.S. jobless claims, and the inflation report just ahead, all lending support to the metal. “We’re being whipsawed and moving sideways with volatility,” said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. He still sees the potential for “one more leg down.”
February 19, 2026
Gold price jumps 2% back toward $5,000 as geopolitics, Fed minutes jolt bullion
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Gold price jumps 2% back toward $5,000 as geopolitics, Fed minutes jolt bullion

New York, Feb 18, 2026, 16:07 — After-hours Gold bounced back more than 2% Wednesday, clawing its way toward $5,000 an ounce after dropping to a one-week low at $4,841.74 on Tuesday. The move came as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended with no deal, and U.S.-Iran negotiations saw only modest headway. By 2:18 p.m. ET, spot gold had gained 2.4% to $4,992.11, with U.S. April futures closing 2.1% higher at $5,009.50. Marex’s Edward Meir pointed to “some nervousness” on the U.S.-Iran front, but noted bullion has stuck to a “very tight trading range” this month. Independent trader Tai Wong said gold is “likely to retake $5,000” even as Fed minutes tilted a bit hawkish.
February 18, 2026
Oil prices jump as Hormuz fears flare again — Brent nears $70, WTI rallies
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Oil prices jump as Hormuz fears flare again — Brent nears $70, WTI rallies

New York, Feb 18, 2026, 13:49 EST — Regular session Oil jumped more than 3% Wednesday after Iranian state media said sections of the Strait of Hormuz were temporarily closed for military drills, and Fars, a semi-official outlet, reported Iran and Russia plan joint naval exercises Thursday. Russia-Ukraine talks in Geneva didn’t yield progress. Brent crude traded up $2.38, or 3.53%, at $69.80 a barrel as of 12:09 p.m. ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate added $2.39, or 3.83%, reaching $64.72. “The big moves in oil prices today are being solely driven by geopolitics,” Lipow Oil Associates president Andrew Lipow said. SEB’s Bjarne Schieldrop commented, “Iran has time to negotiate in calmness.”
February 18, 2026
Oil prices jump over 3% as Strait of Hormuz jitters flare again; Brent nears $70
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Oil prices jump over 3% as Strait of Hormuz jitters flare again; Brent nears $70

New York, February 18, 2026, 13:24 EST — Regular session Oil climbed over 3% Wednesday, with traders reacting to renewed supply concerns tied to U.S.-Iran tensions and the situation around the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the global gauge, was up $2.38, or 3.5%, at $69.80 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate added $2.39, or 3.8%, hitting $64.72 by midday. “The big moves … are being solely driven by geopolitics,” Lipow Oil Associates president Andrew Lipow said.
February 18, 2026
Bawag’s Permanent TSB move puts AIB and Bank of Ireland “on edge”, report says
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Bawag’s Permanent TSB move puts AIB and Bank of Ireland “on edge”, report says

A fresh industry report flags potential nerves for AIB and Bank of Ireland if Austrian bank Bawag moves ahead with a takeover of Permanent TSB, according to The Business Post. The lenders could see pressure on profitability, the report noted. Timing’s key here: Permanent TSB is still the last of Ireland’s major banks with the state holding a chunk—57%, worth about €998 million as of Feb. 11—since the bailout days. Bawag, with its existing presence via mortgage player MoCo, could push further into the Irish market if a deal happens. But it’s a space largely run by AIB Group and Bank of Ireland, and, for now, Spain’s Bankinter is downplaying any interest in a bid.
February 18, 2026
Gold price tumbles below $5,000 as U.S.-Iran talks ease safe-haven demand; Fed minutes, PCE in focus
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Gold price tumbles below $5,000 as U.S.-Iran talks ease safe-haven demand; Fed minutes, PCE in focus

NEW YORK, Feb 17, 2026, 16:01 EST — After-hours Gold tumbled more than 2% Tuesday, dipping back under the $5,000 mark as movement in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations sapped safe-haven appetite and the dollar strengthened. Spot prices were off 2.2% at $4,884.46 an ounce as of 1:30 p.m. ET. U.S. April futures dropped 2.8% to settle at $4,905.90, after the dollar index gained 0.3%. “We haven’t seen any fresh bullish fundamental news,” said Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals. He noted that reduced geopolitical tensions—both from Iran and ongoing Geneva talks over Ukraine and Russia—were likely to curb bullion demand.
February 17, 2026
Dow Jones ends barely higher after AI jitters; Fed minutes and PCE inflation next
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Dow Jones ends barely higher after AI jitters; Fed minutes and PCE inflation next

NEW YORK, Feb 17, 2026, 16:01 EST — After-hours The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 42.99 points, or 0.09%, to finish at 49,543.92 on Tuesday, capping a volatile session that had traders talking more about the sudden swings than any clear trend. The S&P 500 closed up 0.11%, while the Nasdaq managed a 0.14% gain, preliminary figures showed. “You just see spikes up and spikes down,” said Tim Ghriskey, senior portfolio strategist at Ingalls & Snyder.
February 17, 2026
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