Finance Knuggets
Feb 24, 2026
Email 1:
Subject: Trade Turn and Board of Peace Push in US Southeast Asia Ties
Sender: aseanwonk@substack.com
Summary:
This edition of ASEAN Wonk BulletBrief focuses on recent US engagement with Southeast Asia, emphasizing the launch of the Board of Peace (BoP) in Washington, D.C., attended by leaders from Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Key topics include:
– The geopolitical and geoeconomic importance of trade and BoP initiatives.
– Regional minilateral security efforts and artificial intelligence center developments.
– The breaking of megaproject deadlocks and updates on geoeconomic blacklists.
– Industry trends such as humanitarian center collaborations and maritime governance frameworks.
The issue also touches on the broader implications of US-China competition, energy transition challenges in ASEAN, and educational opportunities linked to Australia’s role in regional capacity building. The newsletter discusses challenges in trade policy amid US tariff changes and highlights recent clarifications by Southeast Asian countries regarding US policy announcements.
Email 2:
Subject: Need to Know: Why these analysts say AI will boom but the S&P 500 may dive nearly 40%
Sender: reports@marketwatchmail.com
Summary:
Citrini Research presents a scenario where rapid AI adoption by 2026 disrupts traditional industries, leading to a severe economic downturn despite AI-driven productivity gains. Key points:
– AI-driven automation causes significant job losses, particularly white-collar roles, reducing consumer spending and triggering a recession by mid-2027.
– Declining stock market performance with the S&P 500 falling approximately 38% from its peak.
– Feedback loops where companies invest savings from layoffs into more AI, exacerbating unemployment.
– Systemic effects on private credit markets, insurance companies, and housing prices.
– Government responses are muted due to ideological challenges regarding taxation of AI-driven economies.
The report cautions this is a modeled scenario, not a prediction, and sparked debate on the potential socio-economic fallout of AI disruption.
Email 3:
Subject: 🌩️ Axios Pro Rata: Shein stormclouds
Sender: lucinda.shen@axios.com
Summary:
This newsletter covers the ongoing challenges facing Shein amid geopolitical and regulatory scrutiny:
– The US Supreme Court’s recent tariff decisions reduce but do not eliminate tariffs impacting Chinese e-commerce firms like Shein.
– Shein’s IPO plans are complicated by regulatory approval delays in China and increasing legal and trade headwinds in the US, EU, and UK.
– Despite hurdles, Shein projects strong financial performance with 2025 net income guidance of $2 billion.
Additional topics include the European debut of IQM Quantum Computers via SPAC merger, reflecting emerging public market interest in quantum computing — a sector currently benefiting from AI-driven investment growth.
The issue also details recent venture capital and private equity fundraising news across tech, energy, and biotech sectors, as well as notable M&A activity and IPO preparations.
Email 4:
Subject: Money Stuff: People Are Worried About Blue Owl Liquidity
Sender: noreply@news.bloomberg.com
Summary:
This Bloomberg Money Stuff issue analyzes liquidity challenges faced by private credit giant Blue Owl Capital:
– Blue Owl has faced increased withdrawal requests partly due to investor concerns over exposure to AI-disrupted software companies.
– The firm suspended its normal 5% quarterly tender offers, opting instead for a one-time 30% capital return distributed ratably to all investors.
– Blue Owl sold a $1.4 billion loan portfolio at nearly par value to several major pension funds and its insurance arm.
– The episode raises questions about private credit’s reputed insulation from liquidity risks, especially as funds target retail investors seeking liquidity.
– The newsletter also discusses the broader AI disruption trade, including market reactions to new AI tools impacting cybersecurity and logistics sectors.
– Additionally, it notes the US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Trump-era emergency tariffs under IEEPA, confirming constitutional limits on presidential tariff authority.
– The issue concludes with reflections on labor practices in financial services, highlighting a lawsuit settlement involving work-hour demands at Centerview Partners.
These summaries reflect the key themes, developments, and implications presented in the four emails based strictly on the provided text.
Stay Well!
