Friday 20 February 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: IMF issues warning over China’s economic policies
Business and markets: Shares in Raspberry Pi rise by up to 94% this week
Foreign Affairs: General strike in Argentina over labour reforms
Security and intelligence: Trump gives Iran 10-15 days for nuclear deal
Domestic politics: Dame Antonia Romeo appointed new Cabinet Secretary
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,627.04 (down 0.55%)
S&P 500 = 6,861.89 (down 0.28%)
Nasdaq = 22,682.73 (down 0.31%)
CAC40 = 625.33 (down 0.53%)
£1 = $1.35 / €1.14
Lab / Con / Reform = 22 / 21 / 28 per cent (More in Common, 13-17 February)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: The IMF has warned that China’s economic policies are not sustainable. They focus on export-led growth rather than on domestic consumption and are also harming trading partners. The IMF adds that China should change course and that industrial subsidies should be halved.
Business and markets: Shares in Raspberry Pi rose by as much as 94 per cent this week. The British company, which manufactures small, cheap computers, has been the focus of online speculation by retail investors.
The investors suggest that Raspberry Pi computers could benefit from demand in “AI agent” software – i.e. AI that performs tasks instead of answering questions like a ChatGPT chatbot.
Raspberry Pi has been compared to a “meme stock” – stock which goes viral on social media.
Foreign Affairs: A general strike in Argentina disrupted public transport, schools, hospitals and ports yesterday. It comes as President Milei, a Libertarian reformer and ally of President Trump, attempts to change Argentina’s labour laws.
Argentina’s economic situation is delicate, with inflation down from 150 per cent to 32 per cent in two years, but around 21,000 companies out of business.
Security and intelligence: The US is increasing its airpower in the Middle East to its greatest strength since the Iraq War in 2003. The US is currently in talks with Iran over its nuclear programme and President Trump said yesterday that “really bad things” would happen if no agreement was reached. He appeared to give a deadline of 10 to 15 days.
Domestic politics: The UK Prime Minister has appointed Dame Antonia Romeo as the new Cabinet Secretary. Dame Antonia is also the new head of the civil service. She was previously Permanent Secretary at the Home Office.
There is some controversy on her appointment relating to previous accusations of bullying, which have been dismissed.
A Government profile of Dame Antonia is available here.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
Scottish Conservative Party conference begins
US GDP data (Q4 2025)
White House meeting of US Governors
Company results from: Anglo-American, Anglo-Gold Ashanti
Winter Olympics focus: men’s curling, freestyle skiing with 19-year-old World Champion Finley Melville Ives, men’s ice hockey semi-finals
Lookahead to the weekend
Saturday
53rd Annie Awards (for animated film), California, USA
Rugby Six Nations: Wales vs Scotland, England vs Ireland
Winter Olympics focus: men’s curling gold medal game, men’s ice hockey bronze medal game, speed skating
Sunday
Chinese New Year parade (Trafalgar Square to Chinatown), London
British Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs), London
Rugby Six Nations: France vs Italy
Winter Olympics focus (final day): four-man bobsleigh, women’s curling gold medal game, men’s ice hockey gold medal game
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Light rain across England, with strong rain expected in the southwest in the morning. High of 11C and low of 9C in London. Heavy rain in Belfast. Light rain in Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Successful outcomes are never the result of a single choice. They are built up through good choices over time.
A profitable business is never a choice, it is a series of choices.
A fit body is never a choice, it is a series of choices.
A strong relationship is never a choice, it is a series of choices.” – James Clear, writer
Mighty takeaway: Consistent action is key to progress. One-off, inspired action is not enough. It must be a habit!
That’s it for this Friday morning and for this week. Thanks for reading, enjoy the weekend and do please pass this briefing on to friends and family who may also enjoy it!
Cheerio!
The Mighty Memo team
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