Wednesday 11 February 2026
The Mighty Headlines
Economics: UK retail sales rise in January after downbeat December
Business and markets: Google raises $31 billion from investors in 24 hours
Foreign Affairs: EU to set out demands on Russia in peace talks
Security and intelligence: Estonia’s spy agency releases Russia assessment
Domestic politics: UK Cabinet Secretary set to resign
The Mighty Stats
FTSE = 10,353.84 (down 0.31%)
S&P 500 = 6,941.81 (down 0.33%)
Nasdaq = 23,102.48 (down 0.59%)
Stoxx 600 = 620.97 (down 0.071%)
Biggest FTSE 100 gainer: Croda International (up 9.4%)
Biggest FTSE 100 faller: BP (down 6.13%)
£1 = $1.36 / €1.15
Lab / Con / Reform = 19 / 18 / 27 per cent (YouGov, 8-9 February)
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The Mighty Detail
Economics: UK retail sales increased by 2.7 per cent in January, after growth slowed for four consecutive months in the lead up to December. One factor in the increase could be consumers deciding to shop during the January sales rather than paying full price over Christmas.
Business and markets: Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has raised $31 billion from investors in 24 hours as it seeks to fund ever-higher spending on AI. Alphabet sold $11 billion worth of sterling and Swiss franc bonds yesterday and $20 billion in dollar-denominated bonds on Monday.
In total, Alphabet is spending up to $185 billion in capital expenditure this year, while the Big 5 tech companies will spend over $600 billion in total (most of it on AI).
Foreign Affairs: The EU’s Foreign Affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, is to set out a list of demands the EU could make on Russia as part of peace negotiations. Kallas said demands could include requiring Russia to return the children who have been abducted from Ukraine and a limit on the size of Russia’s armed forces.
Security and intelligence: Estonia’s foreign intelligence service said yesterday that Russia “merely feigns interest in peace talks” as a means of restoring bilateral relations with the US.
Russia continues to set long-term operational objectives in Ukraine and sees better US relations as a means of ending the sanctions which are damaging its economy and defence industry.
The full report (in English) is available here.
Domestic politics: The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Chris Wormald, is set to resign after a little over a year in post. The departure of the UK’s top civil servant would mark the third senior figure to leave Downing Street since Sunday after Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, and Director of Communications, Tim Allan.
The Mighty Calendar
What’s happening today?
Japan public holiday (National Foundation Day)
US hosts conference for “western hemisphere” defence chiefs
EU defence ministers’ meeting, Brussels, Belgium
Iran’s President gives speech on anniversary of Islamic Revolution
Prime Minister’s Questions in UK House of Commons
Company results from: Total, McDonald’s, Commerzbank, AIG
Winter Olympics focus: figure skating free dance, men’s ice hockey
Lookahead to tomorrow
General election in Bangladesh
EU leaders hold competitiveness summit, Alden Biesen, Belgium
NATO defence ministers’ meeting, Brussels, Belgium
Transport Questions in UK House of Commons
UK GDP data (Q4 2025) – set to increase from 0.1% to 0.2%
Company results from: British American Tobacco, ThyssenKrupp, Coinbase, ABinBev, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Siemens, Unilever, Airbnb, Expedia, L’Oreal
Winter Olympics focus: women’s alpine skiing, short track speed skating
The Mighty Finale
🌤️Weather today
Heavy rain and strong winds in the southwest of England. Light rain elsewhere. High of 13C and low of 7C in London. Light rain in Belfast and Edinburgh.
✏️Life coaching quote of the day
“Indecision is the thief of opportunity.” – Jim Rohn, motivational speaker
Mighty takeaway: Make a decision and take action. If it doesn’t work out, you can try again until you achieve the result you are looking for.
That’s it for this Wednesday morning. We’ll see you again on Friday!
Cheerio!
The Mighty Memo team
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