U.S. stock futures rose on Wednesday following Trump's State of the Union address, where he touted 53 all-time stock market highs and proposed replacing income tax with foreign tariffs. Key movers included Workday plunging 9.51% despite strong earnings due to weak forward guidance, HSBC rising 4.43% on increased net interest income, and Nvidia holding steady ahead of earnings. Treasury yields remained stable at 4.05% for 10-year bonds, with markets pricing a 98% likelihood of unchanged Fed rates in March.

Shell PLC has entered into a strategic agreement with Metlen to collaborate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply and trading. The partnership will involve exchanging approximately 0.5-1.0 bcm of LNG annually from 2027-2031, with deliveries to Greek regasification terminals and access to broader European markets via the Vertical Gas Corridor. The alliance aims to optimize supply chains, enhance market access, and support Shell's transition toward sustainable energy solutions.

Shell plc executed share purchases on 24 February 2026 across multiple trading venues, buying 1,191,059 shares for cancellation as part of its share buy-back programme announced on 5 February 2026. The purchases were conducted across LSE, Chi-X, BATS, and Euronext venues in GBP and EUR, with prices ranging from 29.65 to 34.33 per share. Morgan Stanley & Co. International Plc is managing the trading decisions independently through 1 May 2026.

The release of Epstein files has triggered a major political crisis across Europe, with senior UK officials including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested and Lord Peter Mandelson resigning. The scandal has roiled UK gilt markets, widening yield spreads and raising borrowing costs, while the UK economy stagnates with only 0.1% Q4 growth. Prime Minister Starmer faces mounting pressure with betting markets pricing a 68% probability he'll leave office by June.

The global certified-circular polyethylene (PE) market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11% from USD 1.85 billion in 2026 to USD 4.73 billion by 2035, driven by stricter sustainability regulations, corporate ESG commitments, advancements in chemical recycling technologies, and increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging. Asia-Pacific leads the market while North America is the fastest-growing region. Major investments from petrochemical companies and strategic partnerships are accelerating market adoption across packaging, e-commerce, and consumer goods sectors.

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada successfully concluded its fourth Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore on February 11, 2026, with 708 registered guests. The conference focused on three key pillars—food security, energy security, and infrastructure—to strengthen Canada-Asia partnerships. Senior government representatives from Canada, Singapore, and Ontario attended, emphasizing the strategic importance of building diversified supply chains and collaborative relationships between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region.

The global EV charging station market is projected to grow from US$ 63.92 billion in 2025 to US$ 33.28 trillion by 2050 at a 29% CAGR. DC fast charging dominates market value despite lower unit counts, while slow AC charging leads in volume. Residential and private charging stations capture over 56% and 88% market share respectively. Asia-Pacific, led by China, controls 80.65% of the global market. Government mandates, smart charging technology, and strategic partnerships from oil majors and automotive OEMs are driving rapid infrastructure expansion.

The Direct Air Capture market is projected to exceed $130.8 million in 2025, driven by policy incentives like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act's 45Q tax credits (up to $180/tonne) and Europe's Carbon Removal Certification Framework. However, high energy costs, operational underperformance at new plants, and lack of mature infrastructure for CO2 transport and storage remain significant challenges. Strategic collaborations and emerging regional hubs are expected to fuel market expansion through 2035.

Shell plc announced on February 5, 2026, the commencement of a $3.5 billion share buyback programme and reported the purchase of 1,588,690 shares for cancellation across multiple trading venues (LSE, Chi-X, BATS, Euronext Amsterdam, CBOE DXE, and TQEX). Morgan Stanley & Co. International Plc will independently manage trading decisions for the programme running from February 5 to May 1, 2026, in compliance with UK and EU market abuse regulations.

U.S. stock futures were mixed on Thursday as markets rotated away from tech stocks following Wednesday's selloff. The Dow Jones fell while the Nasdaq gained. Amazon reports earnings after the bell, and investors await jobless claims data. Key movers include Alphabet (down despite strong earnings), Broadcom (up on Google's capex guidance), and Workday (down on workforce cuts). Treasury yields held steady at 4.27% for 10-year bonds, with markets pricing a 90% chance of unchanged Fed rates in March.

Shell (NYSE:SHEL) stock fell 2.78% in premarket trading after reporting fourth-quarter 2025 results. While adjusted EPS of $1.14 beat consensus estimates, the company posted its weakest quarterly profit since 2021, pressured by lower crude oil prices ($55/barrel vs $58 prior quarter), unfavorable tax adjustments, and weak chemical margins. Revenue of $64.09 billion also missed analyst forecasts of $64.61 billion. The company generated $26 billion in free cash flow for 2025 and increased its dividend by 4% to 37.2 cents per share.

Shell plc announced a fourth quarter 2025 interim dividend of US$0.372 per ordinary share (US$0.744 per ADS). Shareholders can elect to receive dividends in US dollars, euros, or pounds sterling, with payment scheduled for March 30, 2026. The company also offers dividend reinvestment programs through multiple financial institutions.