Credit News Insider

How to Plan a Solo Trip: Your Financial Planning Guide

Ready to go it alone? This guide offers a financial framework for planning a solo trip, from budgeting tips to mitigating risk with a smart pilot trip.

• ▸FROM THE DESK OF A SENIOR FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT
• ▸Mitigate Risk with a Pilot Trip: Before committing to a significant international excursion, consider a small-scale, domestic solo trip. Harris suggests a local beach day or a weekend in a nearby city. This low-cost trial allows you to test your planning and management style, providing valuable data on your personal tolerance for solitude and unstructured time.

Trump Tariff Breaks Favor Connected Companies, Dems Allege

Senate Democrats accuse the Trump administration of running an opaque tariff exclusion process that unfairly benefits politically connected corporations.

• ▸WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is facing sharp criticism from senior Senate Democrats who allege it is operating a "closed-door" tariff exclusion process that unfairly benefits politically connected corporations, potentially opening the door to "corruption and economic harm." The accusations, detailed in a letter to top trade and commerce officials, intensify the debate over the administration's use of sweeping tariffs and the opaque nature of its exemption policies.
• ▸A System of Favoritism: Wyden and Van Hollen argue the administration has "created a closed-door tariff exclusion process allowing relief largely for those with political connections." They contend this benefits companies that "find themselves in favor with the White House."

Stock Futures Volatile, Gold Rallies After AI Tech Selloff

Stock futures see-saw and gold prices rally as markets react to a brutal, AI-driven tech selloff, sparking fears over the future of the SaaS industry.

• ▸NEW YORK – Global markets are caught in a tense standoff as investors grapple with the dual forces of technological disruption and economic uncertainty. Stock futures fluctuated wildly in pre-market trading Wednesday, signaling a day of indecision after a sharp, AI-driven selloff savaged the technology sector in the prior session.
• ▸The Core Threat: Anthropic’s demonstration suggested its AI could perform tasks that currently require specialized software from companies in sectors like customer relationship management (CRM), data analytics, and workflow automation. This sparked fears of a fundamental threat to existing business models.

Tech Stocks Rebound, Wall Street Futures Rise Pre-Bell

Wall Street futures rise, led by a rebound in tech stocks as Treasury yields retreat. Investors weigh inflation data and Fed policy amid mixed global markets.

• ▸NEW YORK – Wall Street futures indicated a positive open on Wednesday, propelled by a rebound in technology shares as investors recalibrated expectations around inflation and interest rate policy. The cautious optimism in the U.S. contrasted with a mixed session in Asia but found resonance in Europe, where major bourses posted solid gains, painting a complex but cautiously constructive picture for global equities.
• ▸Treasury Yields Retreat: The yield on the benchmark 10-Year U.S. Treasury note edged lower in early trading, easing from recent highs. A decrease in yields makes the future cash flows of technology companies more attractive, providing a direct valuation lift and encouraging buying activity.

Dow Futures Rise on Tech Rotation; AMD, Lumentum Soar

U.S. stock futures are mixed as investors rotate out of tech and into value. Dow Jones futures climb while Nasdaq slips amid key earnings from AMD and Lumentum.

• ▸NEW YORK – U.S. stock futures presented a fractured picture in early pre-market trading, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average pointing to a higher open as investors rotated capital out of high-flying technology names and into more defensive and value-oriented sectors. This market-wide shift comes amid a flurry of corporate earnings, with semiconductor firm AMD and optical component maker Lumentum moving sharply on their quarterly reports, while all eyes turn to pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, set to report later today.
• ▸The Rotation Thesis: Investors appear to be taking profits from technology stocks, which have seen massive gains and now carry lofty valuations. The capital is flowing into sectors perceived as either undervalued or better positioned for the current economic environment.

DHS Funding Showdown: Rep. DeLauro on Border Negotiations

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, top Democrat on Appropriations, outlines the party's strategy for DHS funding as a March 8 shutdown deadline looms over border policy debates

• ▸WASHINGTON – With a critical funding deadline looming, Washington is bracing for another fiscal showdown, this time centered on the sprawling Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Lawmakers have just over a week to navigate a political minefield of immigration policy and federal enforcement to avert a partial government shutdown. At the heart of the Democratic strategy is Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, who is signaling a firm stance on party priorities as high-stakes negotiations intensify.
• ▸Humanitarian Investment: Democrats are pushing for robust funding for humanitarian efforts. This includes resources for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local governments that provide shelter, food, and transportation for recently arrived migrants. They argue this is essential for maintaining order and preventing a humanitarian crisis in border communities.

Govt Shutdown Ends; High-Stakes ICE Funding Talks Begin

The partial government shutdown is over, but a temporary funding bill sets the stage for a new fight in Congress over the budget for ICE and border security.

• ▸WASHINGTON, D.C. – A collective sigh of relief echoed through the capital as the partial government shutdown concluded, restoring funding to federal agencies and sending hundreds of thousands of furloughed employees back to work. But the reprieve is temporary, setting the stage for a far more contentious and ideologically charged battle over one of the nation's most divisive issues: funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• ▸The Temporary Truce: The deal funds the government at existing levels, providing no new money for the administration's key enforcement priorities nor enacting the cuts sought by progressive Democrats. This effectively resets the board, forcing negotiators to start from a familiar, and contentious, baseline.

Starmer to Release Files on Mandelson US Appointment

Labour leader Keir Starmer will release files on Lord Mandelson's US appointment, aiming for transparency but risking political fallout ahead of an election.

• ▸LONDON – The Labour leader's office is set to release a cache of internal documents relating to a controversial US-based appointment held by Lord Peter Mandelson during the final years of the last Labour government. The move is designed to draw a line under a period of renewed scrutiny and project an image of transparency, but it risks reopening old wounds within the party and providing ammunition for political opponents.
• ▸The Appointment: Questions have been raised about the necessity of the role and whether it was created specifically for Lord Mandelson, bypassing typical civil service and diplomatic protocols.

Gold Price Surges Past $5,000 After US-Iran Drone Incident

Gold soared above $5,000 an ounce as a US-Iran drone incident in the Strait of Hormuz sparked fears of conflict, sending investors to safe-haven assets.

• ▸LONDON – Gold surged past the historic $5,000 per ounce threshold in frantic trading on Tuesday, as investors scrambled for safe-haven assets after the Pentagon confirmed a U.S. warship had downed an Iranian military drone over the Strait of Hormuz. The incident, which Tehran has labelled a "hostile act," has ignited fears of a direct military confrontation in the world's most critical oil chokepoint, sending shockwaves through global financial markets.
• ▸Brent Crude: The global benchmark for oil, soared 12% to trade above $140 a barrel, its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.

China Threatens Panama Over US-Linked Canal Port Ruling

Beijing threatens Panama after a court voids a Hong Kong firm's control of strategic canal ports, escalating a U.S.-China rivalry over global infrastructure.

• ▸The Company: CK Hutchison is a Hong Kong-based global conglomerate with a vast portfolio in ports, retail, and telecommunications. U.S. officials have long viewed its control over the canal's entry and exit points as a potential security risk, given its ties to the Chinese state.
• ▸The Assets: The ports of Balboa and Cristobal are not merely commercial hubs; they are strategic chokepoints. They handle a significant portion of the cargo transiting the canal and are located adjacent to the waterway's critical lock systems.

Gold rebounds above $5,000 after US downs Iran drone

• ▸LONDON – Gold prices surged past the critical $5,000 per ounce threshold on Tuesday, a historic high, as investors scrambled for safe-haven assets following news that the United States military had downed an Iranian drone over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
• ▸Geopolitical Tinderbox: The US-Iran drone incident is the latest flashpoint. It follows months of escalating tensions in the Middle East and the protracted conflict in Ukraine, both of which threaten global supply chains and energy stability. Any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes, has immediate global economic consequences.

Edwin Edogbo: Ireland's New Rugby Star & Economic Asset

Discover Edwin Edogbo, the rising Irish rugby star. As an economics student, his value goes beyond the pitch, reshaping how players are seen as financial assets

• ▸Asset Valuation: Edogbo's market value is driven by quantifiable data. His size and power provide a rare commodity, addressing a perceived weakness in the Irish pack's physicality against top-tier global opponents. His recent scoring record for Munster demonstrates a tangible output, translating his physical potential into points on the board. This performance data is critical for contract negotiations and his overall valuation within the IRFU's asset portfolio.
• ▸Risk Profile and Mitigation: The two-year hiatus due to injury highlights the inherent volatility of athletic assets. Such events represent major write-downs for a club. Munster's investment in his rehabilitation and sports science support was a calculated risk-mitigation strategy. His successful return has not only restored but potentially enhanced his value, as he now possesses a proven track record of overcoming significant adversity.

UBS Q4 Profit Beats Forecasts, Announces $3B Buyback

UBS posts a $1.2 billion Q4 net profit, surpassing expectations, and announces a new $3 billion share buyback program amid its ongoing integration of Credit Sui

• ▸ZURICH – UBS Group AG delivered a robust fourth-quarter performance that surpassed analyst expectations, posting a $1.2 billion net profit as it continues the colossal task of integrating its former rival, Credit Suisse. In a significant show of confidence, the Swiss banking behemoth also announced plans to resume its share buyback program, targeting repurchases of up to $1 billion this year and a new program of up to $2 billion from 2026.
• ▸Net Profit: The bank reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of $1.2 billion, a 56% year-on-year increase. This figure comfortably exceeded the consensus analyst estimate of $919 million, demonstrating better-than-expected cost control and performance.

Dems Demand Warsh Fed Nomination Delay Amid Investigations

Senate Banking Democrats demand a halt to Kevin Warsh's nomination until federal investigations into Fed Chair Jerome Powell and Governor Lisa Cook are closed.

• ▸WASHINGTON – A high-stakes political showdown is brewing over the future leadership of the Federal Reserve, as Democrats on the Senate Banking Committee are demanding a halt to all confirmation proceedings for nominee Kevin Warsh until federal investigations into two of the central bank's top officials are concluded. The move threatens to derail President Donald Trump’s pick to run the Fed and injects a new level of uncertainty into the institution responsible for guiding the U.S. economy.
• ▸The Committee Split: The panel is composed of 13 Republicans and 11 Democrats.

US to Issue License for Venezuela Oil Production: Source

The U.S. is expected to issue a general license this week allowing American companies to resume crude oil exploration and production in Venezuela, sources say.

• ▸WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is poised to dramatically escalate the reopening of Venezuela's battered oil sector, with plans to issue a general license as soon as this week that would permit U.S. companies to resume oil and gas production, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC.
• ▸The Bottom Line: The U.S. Treasury Department is preparing to authorize U.S. firms to engage in the exploration and production of crude oil in Venezuela. This would unlock the final, most crucial piece of the energy supply chain after sanctions were eased on downstream activities last week.