Economics and Macroeconomics

According to Reuters, China’s central bank left its benchmark loan prime rates unchanged on Feb. 24, 2026, keeping the one-year LPR at 3.0% and the five-year LPR at 3.5% for a ninth straight month. The decision keeps borrowing benchmarks steady while Beijing balances weaker domestic demand against a firmer yuan, which can limit room for broad rate cuts. The next … Read more

Social Security benefits rose 2.8% in 2026, lifting checks that began paying in January 2026, the Social Security Administration says. The same SSA update also raised the Social Security taxable wage cap to $184,500 and reset the earnings test limits that can temporarily reduce benefits for people who claim early and keep working. For many new retirees, the “trap” is simple: … Read more

According to Reuters, global shares outside the U.S. have pulled ahead in early 2026, with the MSCI World ex USA index up 6.4% through Feb. 5 (13:31 UTC) while the S&P 500 was up 0.54%. LSEG Lipper data show $15.4 billion flowed into ex-U.S. equity funds in January, the biggest monthly haul in about 4½ … Read more

According to the Social Security Administration and CMS, Medicare’s 2026 structure keeps the standard Part B premium at $202.90 and adds income-based surcharges for higher earners. Part B surcharges alone range from $81.20 to $487 a month, with separate Part D surcharges layered on top, so a single year of high taxable income can raise … Read more

According to Reuters, as of 00:44 UTC on February 16, 2026, U.S. stock futures rose 0.4% while U.S. cash stock and bond markets were closed for Presidents’ Day. In that same market snapshot, Europe’s Stoxx 600 was up about 0.4%, and rate futures implied a 68% chance of a June Federal Reserve cut with 62 … Read more

According to USA Rare Earth and Reuters reporting, a $10,000 investment would need a 100-fold gain to reach $1 million. USA Rare Earth says its Stillwater, Oklahoma magnet plant is planned to begin commercial operations in the first half of 2026 with nearly 5,000 metric tons of annual capacity at full output. Reuters separately reported … Read more

Kevin O’Leary has argued that retirement on $500,000 can work if the portfolio earns about 5% a year and the retiree lives on the income without touching principal. A personal-finance analysis published this week said the math is simple—$25,000 a year—but the 2026 question is whether “safe” yields can reliably reach that level. With Treasury … Read more

Restaurant Brands International reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street expectations, supported by stronger growth outside the U.S. and Canada. The company said systemwide comparable sales rose 3.1% in the quarter, led by 6.1% growth in its International segment. Adjusted earnings were $0.96 per share, slightly above consensus expectations. Data card Adj. EPS … Read more