02-21-2026 | Markets shift as GDP slows, tariffs fall, and AI investment accelerates.

COMPANIES. Microsoft names new gaming chief. Microsoft APPOINTS ASHA SHARMA as executive vice president and chief executive of its gaming division. Phil Spencer steps down and remains in an advisory role during the transition. The company aligns gaming more closely with artificial intelligence and devices. The change reshapes leadership of Xbox and first party studios. THE ECONOMY. United States gross domestic product grows ONE POINT FOUR PERCENT. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the economy EXPANDED AT ONE POINT FOUR PERCENT annualized in the fourth quarter of twenty twenty five. Growth slowed from FOUR POINT FOUR PERCENT in the third quarter. Consumer spending and investment supported activity while government spending and exports weighed on the headline number. The data signals slower momentum entering twenty twenty six. POLITICS. Supreme Court blocks global tariffs. In a SIX TO THREE decision the Court rules the president exceeded authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The ruling invalidates the legal basis for broad global tariffs. INNOVATION. Nvidia targets THIRTY BILLION DOLLAR OpenAI deal. Nvidia moves to finalize a THIRTY BILLION DOLLAR equity investment in OpenAI as part of a broader funding round that could exceed ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS.