Key Takeaways
- US Options Exchanges including Cboe Global Markets (CBOE) and Nasdaq (NDAQ) are overhauling regulatory fee structures to align with SEC Regulation NMS Rule 610(d), ending the practice of collecting fees for business executed on rival bourses.
- Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has halted oil shipments to Cuba to avoid a direct confrontation with Donald Trump, despite facing significant backlash from within her own ruling Morena party.
- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed confidence in resolving differences with the IMF over a new law designed to return up to $100,000 to trapped depositors over a four-year period.
- Israel’s Cabinet officially approved the construction of Tekuma Airport in the northern Negev, a NIS 7 billion project aimed at easing congestion at Ben Gurion Airport and revitalizing the Gaza periphery.
- Extreme Winter Weather is driving divergent economic impacts: a retail surge in the Northeast for luxury outerwear and spa services, while a massive storm in California threatens 8 feet of snow and major infrastructure disruptions.
Regulatory Overhaul for US Options Exchanges
Major US equity options exchanges are implementing a significant shift in how regulatory fees are assessed. Led by Cboe Global Markets (CBOE) and Nasdaq (NDAQ), exchanges are moving toward a billing methodology based on prior-month trading activity rather than real-time volume.
This change, which became effective in early February 2026, is designed to comply with SEC Regulation NMS Rule 610(d). The new framework aims to improve transparency and prevent exchanges from picking up fees for trades executed on competing platforms, a move analysts suggest will level the playing field for smaller market participants.
Geopolitical Tensions: Mexico, Cuba, and the Trump Administration
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is walking a diplomatic tightrope after ordering a temporary halt to oil shipments to Cuba. The decision follows an executive order from the Trump administration threatening tariffs on any nation providing crude oil to the island.
While the move staves off immediate economic retaliation from the US, it has sparked a rift within Mexico’s ruling Morena party, which has historically viewed Cuba as a key ideological ally. The halt is particularly critical as Mexico had recently surpassed Venezuela as Cuba's primary oil supplier.
Lebanon’s Path to IMF Endorsement
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is pushing for the final approval of the Financial Stabilization and Depositor Recovery (FSDR) law. Following a mid-February visit from an IMF delegation, Salam indicated that the government is ready to amend the draft to ensure it meets international standards for banking sector rehabilitation.
The proposed law aims to address a funding gap exceeding $70 billion. It provides a roadmap to repay small depositors up to $100,000 over four years, while larger deposits would be converted into tradable, asset-backed securities with maturities of up to 20 years.
Infrastructure: Israel’s New International Airport
In a landmark decision, the Israeli Cabinet approved the construction of a new international airport at the Ziklag site near the Gaza periphery. Dubbed Tekuma Airport, the project is expected to cost approximately NIS 7 billion and create thousands of jobs in the northern Negev region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the airport is a strategic necessity to end the "concept of the periphery" and provide a secondary gateway to Ben Gurion Airport. Security officials noted that proximity to Gaza is no longer considered a planning barrier following recent shifts in the regional security reality.
Weather-Driven Consumer Trends and Risks
A "deep freeze" in the US Northeast has triggered a surprising surge in consumer spending. Retailers like Canada Goose (GOOS) and Columbia Sportswear (COLM) are seeing increased demand for high-end winter gear, while the service sector reports a "splurge" on luxury spa days as residents seek relief from the record-breaking cold.
Conversely, California is bracing for a massive winter storm that could drop up to 8 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada. Utilities such as PG&E (PCG) are on high alert for potential power outages, as wind gusts are expected to reach 100 mph on mountain ridges, threatening significant travel delays through the Presidents Day holiday weekend.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.