COMPANIES. Amazon cuts robotics jobs. Amazon eliminated at least ONE HUNDRED corporate roles in its robotics division. The company says the move is part of a review of advanced technology teams. The robotics unit develops automated systems for fulfillment centers across the United States. Amazon states robotics remains STRATEGIC, even as it restructures teams. The cuts follow earlier workforce reductions this year. THE ECONOMY. Services activity hits FIFTY SIX POINT ONE. The Institute for Supply Management says its non manufacturing index rose to FIFTY SIX POINT ONE in February, up from FIFTY THREE POINT EIGHT in January. Economists expected a lower reading. Any number above FIFTY signals expansion. Business activity and new orders increased. The data indicates continued MOMENTUM in the services sector. INTERNATIONAL. Brazil advances European Union and MERCOSUL trade pact. Brazil’s Senate approved the agreement after more than TWENTY YEARS of negotiations. Argentina and Uruguay have ratified it. Paraguay still needs a lower house vote. The agreement covers tariffs and market access. MARKETS. United States stock futures edge lower as investors track Middle East tensions and oil prices. Volatility remains ELEVATED.

COMPANIES. Paramount downgraded to JUNK after studio deal. Fitch cut Paramount Global’s credit rating to JUNK status following its major studio transaction. The agency cited higher leverage and integration risks. The downgrade increases refinancing pressure and raises borrowing costs. Investors are reassessing the balance sheet as the company absorbs the impact of the deal. THE ECONOMY. Oil tensions lift inflation concerns. No new gross domestic product or Consumer Price Index data were released in the last twenty four hours. The next Consumer Price Index report is scheduled for March eleven, two thousand twenty six. Markets shifted focus to geopolitical risk. Rising oil prices fueled inflation fears. Treasury yields moved higher as traders adjusted interest rate expectations in the United States. POLITICS. United States signals naval escorts in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the United States Navy could escort oil tankers if necessary. The administration also plans political risk insurance support for maritime trade to stabilize energy shipments amid Middle East tensions. MARKETS. Stocks fall as Target shares jump. United States equities declined on conflict concerns. Energy prices climbed. Target projected annual sales above estimates for fiscal two thousand twenty six, and its shares rose sharply.

COMPANIES. Select Medical to go PRIVATE in multi-billion dollar deal. Select Medical Holdings agreed to be acquired by a consortium led by Robert Ortenzio, Martin Jackson and WCAS. The transaction values the company at about THREE POINT NINE BILLION DOLLARS including debt. The board approved the agreement and shareholders will vote in the coming months. The deal is expected to close in mid twenty twenty six pending regulatory clearance. POLITICS. Congress pushes WAR POWERS vote after Iran strikes. Lawmakers moved to force a formal vote following United States military strikes in Iran. Republicans defended the operation. Democrats demanded congressional authorization. The resolution could define or limit further military action in the Middle East. MARKETS. Oil jumps as conflict lifts inflation risks. Crude prices climbed sharply amid supply concerns. United States stock index futures fell. Defense and energy shares outperformed. Investors reposition portfolios as volatility rises. INNOVATION. Nokia and NVIDIA advance artificial intelligence radio access networks at Mobile World Congress twenty twenty six. Nokia demonstrated anyRAN software on graphics processing unit platforms. NVIDIA highlighted artificial intelligence driven radio benchmarks. Vendors target artificial intelligence native fifth generation and early sixth generation development.