02-14-2026 | Inflation slows, Lowe’s cuts jobs, and new Ukraine talks take shape

COMPANIES. LOWE’S CUTS 600 CORPORATE JOBS. Lowe’s will eliminate ABOUT 600 corporate and support roles, less than 1 PERCENT of its workforce. The company says it will redirect resources to frontline store employees. Affected staff will receive financial assistance and continued benefits during a transition period. Management frames the move as a shift toward customer facing operations and stronger in store execution. THE ECONOMY. UNITED STATES INFLATION SLOWS TO 2 POINT 4 PERCENT. The Consumer Price Index rose zero point 2 PERCENT in January. Annual inflation eased to 2 POINT 4 PERCENT, down from 2 point 7 percent in December. Core inflation increased zero point 3 percent on the month and 2 POINT 5 PERCENT year over year. Lower gasoline prices helped moderate the headline figure. POLITICS. SENATORS SEEK REVIEW OF 500 MILLION DOLLAR CRYPTO STAKE. Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to review a reported 500 MILLION DOLLAR, 49 PERCENT stake linked to a United Arab Emirates investor in World Liberty Financial. Lawmakers set a March 5 deadline for a response. INTERNATIONAL. NEW UKRAINE TALKS SET FOR NEXT WEEK. The Kremlin confirmed a new round of negotiations will take place next week as diplomatic efforts continue.