Investing Updates: What to Expect in the Week Ahead (Core PCE, FOMC Minutes, and Earnings from Walmart, Palo Alto Networks, Carvana and Booking)

Source:

https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/65647920/what-to-expect-in-the-week-ahead-core-pce-fomc?level=1&data_ticket=1771205507529085

ChatGPT:

The coming week is a compressed but high-impact stretch for markets, shaped by key U.S. macro data and heavyweight earnings. With U.S. markets closed on Monday for President’s Day, attention intensifies across four trading days, beginning with Wednesday’s FOMC minutes and culminating in Friday’s inflation and growth data.

Investors will scrutinize the FOMC minutes for signals on whether the Federal Reserve is shifting from a “pause” stance to holding rates higher for longer. That debate will be tested by a powerful Friday macro bundle: the delayed Q4 GDP print, Personal Income and Spending, and Core PCE inflation. Together, these releases will drive expectations around growth durability and the timing of eventual rate cuts, influencing yields and risk appetite across asset classes.

Earnings are equally pivotal. Results from Walmart will serve as the primary gauge of consumer resilience, with investors weighing same-store sales, margin mix, and forward guidance. Palo Alto Networks anchors the cybersecurity space, where billings trends will reveal whether enterprise security spending remains firm amid shifting AI priorities. Carvana faces a credibility test as markets assess profitability progress against lingering short-seller concerns, while Booking Holdings is under pressure to explain how it defends demand and loyalty as AI-driven trip planners reshape travel search behavior.

Weekly jobless claims on Thursday offer the fastest read on labor-market momentum, potentially swinging sentiment between growth concerns and sticky inflation fears.

Recent trading has been dominated by rate-cut repricing and “AI anxiety,” with heavy turnover in AI, mega-cap, and crypto-linked stocks. Names like NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon continue to act as both AI barometers and stability anchors as markets head into a catalyst-dense week.

Comments:

Walmart earnings and jobless claims data could be important.

Happy Chinese New Year 2026

Rewards Updates: Good news: Pelago via Kris+ now supports promo code stacking

Source:

https://milelion.com/2026/02/15/good-news-pelago-via-kris-now-supports-promo-code-stacking/

ChatGPT:

Pelago bookings made via Kris+ now support promo code stacking, allowing users to combine monthly bonus miles with selected discounts. Previously, while Kris+ offered the same base earn rate of 3 miles per dollar (mpd) as Pelago’s website or app — with promotional boosts of up to 10 mpd — users could not apply promo codes when booking through Kris+. This meant popular discounts, including the year-round offer for Singapore Airlines and Scoot passengers, were excluded.

With the latest update, Kris+ now allows the use of promo codes — but currently only for SIA or Scoot passenger (PNR-based) discounts. Other promo codes remain unsupported, and it is unclear whether this limitation will be lifted.

Kris+ bookings typically offer better value. February 2026’s promotional rate stands at 5 mpd (down from 10 mpd in December 2025), suggesting lower bonuses may become the norm, partially offset by stacked discounts. Compared to Pelago’s website/app, Kris+ offers higher promotional earn rates, no explicit miles cap per booking (though daily spend is capped at S$20,000), and faster mile crediting (one day after activity completion versus seven). However, Kris+ does not support cashback platforms like HeyMax or ShopBack.

SIA passengers enjoy 10% off (capped at S$50, usable three times per PNR), while Scoot passengers receive 20% off (capped at S$15, once per PNR). Discounts are valid for bookings made by 31 December 2026.

Payments via Kris+ code as MCC 4722 (travel agencies), making select cards eligible for up to 4 mpd, though some travel-excluded cards should be avoided.

Overall, Kris+ is now usually the better option unless cashback rebates elsewhere are especially compelling.

Comments:

This is good.

Entertainment Updates: State of Play | February 12, 2026 [English]

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/live/P0e5YEXtZu0?si=F8b7Z3TjT_HJsIdY

Comments:

Graphics are cool.

Can anyone beat Clair Obscur story-wise? 😙

Investing Updates: Is CPF’s new life-cycle investment scheme for everyone?

Source:

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/cpfs-new-life-cycle-investment-scheme-everyone

ChatGPT:

Singapore will roll out life-cycle investment portfolios for CPF members in 2028, marking a major step by the CPF Board to offer “advice-embedded”, simplified investing options. Announced in Budget 2026, the scheme aims to help members who want higher long-term returns but lack the time, expertise or discipline to manage and rebalance investments themselves.

While CPF members already have over 700 choices under the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS), choice overload, costs and behavioural biases have limited participation. Only about 28% of OA members and 22% of SA members invest actively. The new life-cycle scheme seeks to address this by offering low-cost, diversified portfolios that automatically follow a glide-path: higher risk exposure for younger members, gradually shifting to bonds and lower-risk assets as retirement approaches.

However, the scheme is not for everyone. Its success depends critically on members’ ability to stay invested over the long term, even during market downturns. Without discipline, members may panic and exit at the wrong time, undermining returns. Hence, strong advisory support and “hand-holding” during crises will be essential.

The case for investing is clearer for OA savings (2.5% risk-free rate) than for SA savings (4% risk-free), which many experts consider hard to beat. Digital advisers like Endowus and AutoWealth already provide CPF-approved, low-cost portfolios, showing the model is feasible.

Experts caution that the scheme should not replace the CPF’s role as a safe foundation for retirement. As MoneyOwlnotes, it is best suited for members with sufficient balances, higher risk tolerance and long horizons. Used appropriately, life-cycle investing can help combat inflation and longevity risk—but only with patience, realism and guidance.

Comments:

Fees must be lower than Endowus, POEM, AutoWealth, etc for people to shift over.

Let's wait and see.

Sports Updates: How Arteta’s Tactics Evolved Without Anyone Noticing

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IUV1VVKopI

Comments:

Football is complicated 😅

LifeStyle Updates: [FULL] Budget 2026: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivers Budget statement

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/live/NdTQQ9K9Be0?si=19UgjsOePzGoVQSa

Comments:

Great support for my family.

Kudos to the team who invented Child LifeSG credits 😊

Gaming Updates: Hades Completed!

Comments:

Completed Main Story once. Googled and youtubed the rest for story 😜

Nice game.

Gaming Updates: Apple Arcade is adding Oceanhorn 3 and three more new games

Source:

https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/10/apple-arcade-is-adding-oceanhorn-3-and-three-more-new-games/

ChatGPT:

Apple Arcade has announced four new games arriving in March 2026, led by the highly anticipated release of Oceanhorn 3: Legend of the Shadow Sea. The action role-playing game launches on March 5 and will be available across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro. Developed over five years, the new instalment continues the popular Oceanhorn franchise and promises a fresh adventure for both longtime fans and newcomers.

According to series creator Heikki Repo, the game represents the culmination of years of passionate development in collaboration with Apple. He described it as a rich new world filled with compelling characters and an unforgettable story. Apple highlighted the game’s “stunning console-quality visuals” along with innovative traversal and combat mechanics, positioning it as a major addition to the platform’s growing catalogue.

Alongside Oceanhorn 3, three additional titles will debut on March 5. Pocket Love!+ is a life simulation game, while Flow Free+ brings its well-known puzzle gameplay to the service. The fourth title, Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story+, is a sweet shop simulation game featuring the beloved Doraemon franchise. Each title carries the “+” designation, indicating enhanced versions tailored for Apple Arcade.

These new releases follow the recent addition of Civilization VII and expand Apple Arcade’s library to over 200 games. All titles on the platform are ad-free and contain no in-app purchases, a key selling point for subscribers.

Apple Arcade is available for US$6.99 per month as a standalone subscription or as part of the Apple One bundle, which packages multiple Apple services together.

Comments:

Nice additions recently.

Is Apple starting to get serious in gaming? 🤔

It's giving me more reasons to keep my subscription. Let's wait and see.

Entertainment Updates: Realtor reveals ‘truth about S’pore’s unspoken class system’ based on home addresses

Source:

https://mustsharenews.com/unspoken-class-system/

ChatGPT:

A Singapore realtor has sparked online discussion after sharing what he described as the country’s “unspoken class system”, arguing that social hierarchy in Singapore is often reflected more by home addresses than by outward displays of wealth. In a TikTok video posted on Feb 3, realtor Luke Lim broke down what he sees as a location-based social structure shaped by years of observing the property market.

At the top of his hierarchy are what he called “old money” families, associated with exclusive neighbourhoods such as Nassim, Queen Astrid and Chatsworth. These areas are characterised by large landed homes, quiet streets and families who have lived there for generations. Below them are the “new elites”, who reside in prime districts like Orchard, Novena, Newton and Marina Bay. This group was portrayed as wealthier in a more visible and modern way, often associated with luxury cars, high-rise living and city views.

Next, Luke described a “cool crowd” living in areas such as Robertson Quay, Holland Village and Bugis. He characterised these residents as stylish, media-savvy and culturally influential, often appearing prominently on social media. Further down the spectrum, he highlighted heartland neighbourhoods including Jurong, Tampines, Bedok and Punggol, calling them the “heart of Singapore”. Residents there were described as hardworking “hustlers” who keep the country running.

The video ended humorously with a joke about Yishun being a “special category”, which further resonated with viewers. Netizens largely responded positively, praising the light-hearted and non-judgmental tone. Luke later clarified that the video was meant to share observations from his decade-long real estate career in a relatable way, stressing that higher-priced areas benefit from better amenities and infrastructure, but ultimately emphasising that true class is defined by character, not one’s address.

Comments:

Interesting and Creative.

Yishun joke though... 😅