02-02-2026 | Disney nears a leadership shift as China acts on housing, markets turn volatile and AI spending accelerates.

COMPANIES. Disney board moves closer to chief executive succession. The Walt Disney Company advances plans to name Josh D’Amaro as chief executive. D’Amaro currently leads Disney Experiences, the parks and consumer products division, which is the company’s most profitable business. The board discusses timing and transition details ahead of a formal vote, signaling a major leadership change at one of the world’s largest media groups. INTERNATIONAL. China cuts mortgage rates to support the property market. Chinese authorities announce new measures to stabilize the housing sector, cutting existing mortgage rates by FIFTY BASIS POINTS. Minimum down payments fall to FIFTEEN PERCENT for all home types. Beijing also launches a THREE HUNDRED BILLION YUAN relending program to support state-linked firms buying unsold homes for affordable housing. MARKETS. Global markets shaken by metals selloff and earnings risk. Asian stocks fall sharply as gold and silver see violent price swings. Futures in the United States decline ahead of a heavy earnings week. The Standard and Poor’s Five Hundred futures fall about ONE POINT TWO PERCENT, while Nasdaq futures drop around ONE POINT SIX PERCENT, with margin hikes and upcoming payroll data driving caution. INNOVATION. Alibaba invests heavily in artificial intelligence growth. Alibaba commits THREE BILLION YUAN, or FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY ONE MILLION DOLLARS, to promote its Qwen artificial intelligence app during the Lunar New Year, intensifying competition in China’s generative technology market and accelerating user acquisition at scale.