Major League Soccer kicks off its 2026 campaign with a blockbuster matchup as Los Angeles FC welcomes defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF to the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, February 21, at 6:30 p.m. PT (9:30 p.m. ET).

The game, billed as the Walmart Saturday Showdown and streamed exclusively on Apple TV, marks LAFC’s ninth MLS regular-season opener and the league’s first match of the year. Instead of their usual home at BMO Stadium (capacity 22,000), LAFC opted for the historic 102-year-old Coliseum, expecting a crowd exceeding 60,000 — potentially setting a new record for the largest attendance in an MLS season opener.

Inter Miami, fresh off lifting the MLS Cup in December 2025, travels west to defend its title against a formidable LAFC side that has amassed more goals, wins and points than any other MLS club over the past eight seasons. The matchup features two of the league’s biggest stars: Lionel Messi for Inter Miami and new LAFC signing Son Heung-min, the South Korean forward who joined from Tottenham Hotspur and has generated massive excitement in Los Angeles’ large Korean community.

Messi, the Inter Miami captain, was confirmed available by coach Javier Mascherano, setting up a highly anticipated clash between the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Son, a Premier League Golden Boot winner known for his pace, finishing and leadership. The game represents the first time the two most expensive players in MLS history face off, adding extra intrigue to an already star-studded contest.

LAFC enters the season with momentum after a strong preseason and a dominant 6-1 Concacaf Champions Cup win over Real España in Honduras earlier this week. Coach Steve Cherundolo’s squad boasts attacking depth with Denis Bouanga (26 goals in recent seasons), Olivier Giroud and others, complemented by Son’s arrival to bolster the front line. The Black & Gold hold an unbeaten record in MLS season openers (8W-0L-0D), a league mark they aim to extend.

Inter Miami, under Mascherano, brings championship pedigree and firepower led by Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. The Herons’ title defense begins on the road in a hostile environment, testing their ability to handle high expectations and travel early in the campaign.

The venue shift to the Coliseum — site of two Summer Olympics and countless historic events — promises an electric atmosphere. An estimated 60,000+ fans will pack the stands, far surpassing typical MLS crowds and underscoring the growing popularity of the league. The game also highlights MLS’s push for marquee matchups in iconic venues to boost visibility.

Pre-match buzz focused on tactical battles: LAFC’s high-pressing style against Inter Miami’s possession-based play, and individual duels like Messi vs. LAFC’s midfield and Son exploiting spaces. Predictions vary, with some analysts favoring LAFC’s home advantage and depth, while others see Inter Miami’s experience carrying them to a statement win.

The contest airs globally on Apple TV, with additional broadcasts in Korea via Coupang Play and SpoTV. Tickets sold briskly since going on sale in December 2025, with priority for season members and groups.

As MLS enters its 31st season, this opener sets the tone for a year of expansion, star power and competitive balance. LAFC seeks to reclaim supremacy in the West, while Inter Miami aims to prove its championship was no fluke.

Kickoff at the Coliseum promises drama, goals and a fitting start to what could be one of MLS’s most exciting campaigns yet. Fans worldwide tune in for what could be a classic from the opening whistle.

MILAN, Italy — The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matchups in international hockey history: the United States faces Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday, February 22, at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

Puck drop is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. CET (8:10 a.m. ET / 5:10 a.m. PT), with broadcast coverage on NBC in the United States, Peacock streaming, CBC and Sportsnet in Canada, and international feeds via Olympic channels. The game caps a tournament that marked the return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time since Sochi 2014, delivering star-studded rosters and high-stakes drama.

Both teams enter undefeated, with Canada (5-0) and the United States (5-0) cruising through their paths to the final. The Americans advanced with a commanding 6-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia on Friday, powered by two goals from Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils) and three assists from Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets). Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets) was solid, allowing just two goals in a dominant performance that showcased U.S. depth and speed.

Canada secured its spot earlier Friday with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Finland, overcoming a two-goal deficit in a tense semifinal. Nathan MacKinnon’s late heroics and strong goaltending sealed the victory, highlighting the Canadians’ resilience and firepower.

This gold medal showdown revives one of sport’s fiercest rivalries. Canada has dominated the all-time Olympic series against the U.S., winning 15 of 19 meetings, including gold medal victories in 2002 (5-2 in Salt Lake City) and 2010 (3-2 in overtime in Vancouver on Sidney Crosby’s iconic “golden goal”). The U.S. seeks its first men’s hockey gold since the “Miracle on Ice” triumph in 1980 at Lake Placid and its first against Canada in a gold medal game.

The buildup intensified last year during the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, the first best-on-best international tournament since 2016. The teams split their meetings: the U.S. won a 3-1 round-robin game in Montreal amid a politically charged atmosphere, but Canada claimed the championship with a 3-2 overtime victory in Boston on Connor McDavid’s heroics. That final drew massive viewership and set the tone for this rematch.

Rosters feature NHL superstars on both sides. Canada boasts McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Cale Makar (Avalanche), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), and emerging talent Macklin Celebrini. The lineup emphasizes speed, skill and depth, with strong defensive play and goaltending.

The United States counters with Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings) and Hellebuyck. The Americans have leaned on offensive explosiveness and transition play, overwhelming opponents in key moments.

Betting odds reflect a near pick’em: Canada is a slight favorite at -111 to -118 on the moneyline, with the U.S. at -102 to -108. The puck line sits at Canada -1.5 (+205) and U.S. +1.5 (-265), while the over/under is 5.5 goals (over +134, under -164). Analysts predict a physical, low-scoring affair early, with potential for late drama given both teams’ come-from-behind abilities.

Key storylines abound: Can the U.S. end Canada’s Olympic dominance and claim its first gold in 46 years? Will McDavid add another signature moment? How will political undertones from recent years influence the atmosphere?

The game holds massive stakes beyond medals. A U.S. win would mark a breakthrough in a rivalry where Canada has long held bragging rights as hockey’s birthplace. For Canada, victory would extend its record to 10 Olympic golds in men’s hockey.

Fans worldwide anticipate a battle of skill, speed and grit. The Santagiulia Arena promises an electric crowd, with global viewership expected to soar.

As the final event of the Milano Cortina Games, this USA-Canada clash delivers the pinnacle of Olympic hockey — a rematch fans have craved since the 4 Nations Face-Off and a fitting conclusion to a star-powered tournament.

Sales of new U.S. single-family homes fell in December, but builders made progress in reducing an inventory bloat, potentially allowing them to break ground on more new housing projects.

New home sales dropped 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annualized ‌rate of ⁠745,000 ⁠units, the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau said on Friday. Sales increased to a rate of 758,000 units in November from 656,000 in October. The data was delayed by last year’s shutdown of the government.

New home sales account for a small share of U.S. ⁠home sales and ‌tend to be volatile on a month-to-month basis. They are counted at the signing ⁠of a contract. New home sales advanced 3.8% on a year-over-year basis in December.

New housing inventory fell to 472,000 units in December from 485,000 units in November. The inventory of homes under construction was the lowest in nearly 4-1/2 years. At December’s sales pace, it would take 7.6 ‌months to clear the supply of new houses on the market, down from 7.7 months in November.

The median ⁠new house price increased 4.2% to $414,400 in December from a year earlier.

The housing market could get a lift from mortgage rates. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined to 6.01% this week, the lowest level since September 2022, from 6.09% last week, data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac showed.

Bitcoin hovered around $68,000 on Saturday, February 21, 2026, showing modest gains in early trading as the cryptocurrency attempted to stabilize after a volatile start to the year that saw it log its weakest first 50 days on record.

The leading digital asset traded at approximately $68,100 to $68,200 in the latest 24-hour period, according to aggregated data from major exchanges and trackers like Yahoo Finance, CoinMarketCap and Investing.com. It opened the day near $67,996, reached a high of about $68,212 and dipped to a low of $67,596 before settling in the mid-$68,000 range. This represented a slight uptick of roughly 0.3% to 1% from the previous close, with trading volume moderate at around $43-47 billion over the prior day.

The price action comes as Bitcoin continues to consolidate in a symmetrical triangle pattern, with key resistance near $68,500 and support around $65,500 to $66,000. A breakout above the upper boundary could signal renewed bullish momentum, while a drop below support might trigger further downside toward $60,000 or lower, analysts warn.

The cryptocurrency has faced significant headwinds in 2026 so far. Through the first 50 days of the year, Bitcoin declined about 23%, marking its poorest start to a calendar year ever recorded, per Checkonchain data. January saw a roughly 10% drop, followed by an additional 15% slide in February — a rare back-to-back monthly decline for the asset. From its October 2025 all-time high near $126,000, Bitcoin has shed nearly 50%, reflecting broader market deleveraging and waning confidence in high-risk assets.

Several factors contributed to the weakness. Institutional outflows from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs totaled billions in recent weeks, with heavy net redemptions pressuring prices. On-chain metrics from Santiment showed small retail wallets increasing holdings by 2.5% since the October peak, while large “whale” holders trimmed positions by 0.8%. This divergence suggests retail buyers stepping in amid fear, but a sustained rally may require bigger players to re-engage.

Extreme sentiment readings added to the caution. The Fear & Greed Index hit single-digit levels around 8 in mid-February, signaling “extreme fear” among participants. Retail traders remained heavily long at 66.8%, creating a contrarian bearish signal. Leverage in the futures market rose, heightening risks of liquidations if volatility spikes.

Geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty and a loss of momentum in related narratives like AI-driven growth also weighed on sentiment. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan noted in a recent podcast that the February 5 drop to the mid-$60,000s was “shocking” but not necessarily the “final cathartic bottom,” suggesting more shakeouts ahead before a recovery.

Despite the challenges, some positive undercurrents emerged. Institutional accumulation persisted in certain metrics, with coins moving off exchanges — a sign of long-term holding. Bitcoin Cash, a fork of Bitcoin, set transaction volume records in February amid the broader fear, highlighting niche resilience in the ecosystem.

Prediction markets reflected uncertainty. On platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi, contracts for Bitcoin’s price on February 21 clustered around $66,000-$68,000 ranges, with probabilities favoring consolidation in that band. Broader forecasts for the quarter pointed to potential recovery toward $70,000-$79,000 by end-Q1, though downside risks to $56,000 lingered if support breaks.

Market observers remain divided. Some see the current dip as a healthy correction in a longer bull cycle, driven by orderly deleveraging rather than capitulation. Others warn of structural weaknesses, including high leverage and weak institutional inflows, that could prolong the downturn.

Bitcoin’s market capitalization stood around $1.35 trillion to $1.36 trillion, maintaining its dominance in the crypto space. The asset’s volatility persisted, with daily swings underscoring the need for caution among traders and investors.

As February progresses, all eyes remain on key levels, ETF flows and macroeconomic developments. Whether Bitcoin can reclaim higher ground or faces further tests will likely depend on renewed buying interest from institutions and a shift in broader risk sentiment.

For now, the cryptocurrency trades in a tight range, offering little clarity on its next major move in what has been a challenging 2026 so far.

Air Liquide AI 4.80%increase; green up pointing triangle posted a rise in full-year net profit, supported by strong momentum and higher revenue in its gas and services businesses.

The French industrial-gases company said Friday that net profit for 2025 rose by 6.4% on a reported basis to 3.52 billion euros ($4.14 billion), while revenue increased by 2% on a comparable basis to 26.94 billion euros.

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Australian fashion continues to captivate global audiences in 2026, blending laid-back coastal elegance, innovative sustainability and sophisticated tailoring. With strong showings at Australian Fashion Week Resort collections and growing international presence on platforms like Net-a-Porter and Ssense, homegrown labels are leading trends in effortless luxury, minimalist staples and bold occasion wear.

Vogue Australia, Broadsheet and RUSSH have highlighted standout brands in recent roundups, reflecting a mix of established powerhouses and rising talents. Here’s a look at the 10 best Australian fashion brands making waves this year:

1. **Zimmermann**
The Sydney-based label remains a benchmark for romantic, feminine dressing. Known for intricate lace, floral prints and flowing silhouettes, Zimmermann’s Resort 2026 offerings emphasized ethereal gowns and beach-ready separates. Celebrities like Margot Robbie and Zendaya continue to champion the brand, driving its status as Australia’s most internationally recognized export.

2. **Christopher Esber**
Praised for architectural tailoring and sensual draping, Esber secured top spots in Vogue and RUSSH lists. His collections feature bold cuts, asymmetric details and a modern edge that appeals to fashion-forward buyers. The label’s international acclaim, including awards and stockists in Paris and New York, cements its position as a leader in contemporary Australian design.

3. **Aje**
A favorite for event dressing and everyday chic, Aje blends dramatic silhouettes with wearable elegance. Balloon hems, impressionist-inspired prints and watery palettes dominated its recent shows. Frequently cited in Broadsheet and Marie Claire for occasion wear, Aje offers accessible luxury that resonates with a broad audience.

4. **Camilla and Marc**
The sibling duo delivers bohemian luxury with effortless Australian flair. Flowing dresses, relaxed tailoring and premium fabrics make it a go-to for versatile wardrobes. Vogue Australia named it among the top for 2026, highlighting its consistent appeal in workwear and casual sophistication.

5. **Sir.**
Known for bold prints, structured pieces and confident femininity, Sir. excels in statement-making occasion wear. Its collections feature vibrant colors and modern cuts, earning praise from Broadsheet and Vogue for event-ready designs that stand out without overwhelming.

6. **Alemais**
This label shines with whimsical prints, romantic details and sustainable practices. Alemais frequently appears in Broadsheet and Elle roundups for its occasion pieces and everyday elegance, blending artistry with wearability in a distinctly Australian way.

7. **Matteau**
Specializing in swim and resort wear, Matteau has expanded into ready-to-wear with minimalist, high-quality essentials. Its clean lines and premium fabrics position it as a favorite for coastal luxury, appearing in Vogue’s 2026 best-of lists for its timeless appeal.

8. **Anna Quan**
Focused on elevated basics and sophisticated tailoring, Anna Quan offers polished pieces ideal for work and beyond. Broadsheet and Vogue highlighted its refined aesthetic, with clean silhouettes and quality fabrics that embody understated Australian style.

9. **St. Agni**
The Byron Bay-born brand champions minimalist, ethical design with neutral palettes, luxurious textures and versatile staples. Praised across Marie Claire and Broadsheet for everyday essentials like tailored trousers and elegant dresses, St. Agni emphasizes sustainability and longevity.

10. **Macgraw**
Emerging as a standout for tactile, handcrafted pieces, Macgraw incorporates feathering, unique textures and artistic details. Featured in Vogue and Resort 2026 reports, the label brings a fresh, artisanal perspective to Australian fashion, appealing to those seeking distinctive, elevated designs.

These brands reflect broader 2026 trends: a shift toward color pops (bright reds, yellows), tactility and sustainability amid global influences. Australian Fashion Week Resort showcased collaborations and innovation, with labels like Carla Zampatti and Lee Mathews celebrating heritage while pushing boundaries.

The industry’s strength lies in its diversity — from affordable everyday options to high-end couture — supporting local economies and global wardrobes. As international buyers flock to Sydney shows, these 10 brands lead the charge, proving Australian fashion’s enduring appeal lies in effortless style, quality craftsmanship and a uniquely sunny spirit.

Legendary investor Peter Lynch popularised a simple but powerful way to think about stocks by grouping them into categories based on how they grow and behave across cycles. In today’s market — marked by global uncertainty around interest rates, periodic volatility, valuation debates, and rapid disruption from artificial intelligence — his framework offers a practical lens for investors trying to separate noise from opportunity.

Slow Growers: Stability in Volatile Times

Slow growers are mature companies with modest earnings expansion and steady dividends, and they continue to play a stabilising role in portfolios when markets turn choppy. With inflation still influencing real returns, investors are becoming more selective, favouring businesses with strong balance sheets and predictable cash flows rather than chasing yield blindly. While these stocks may not deliver outsized gains, they can help cushion downside during corrections.

Also read: US Supreme Court ruling overturning Trump tariffs could spook bond vigilantes

Stalwarts: Quality at the Core

Stalwarts — large, high-quality companies with consistent growth — remain the backbone for many investors navigating uncertain conditions. As global cues swing sentiment quickly, capital often rotates into such names because of their resilience and earnings visibility. Accumulating these businesses during dips can provide steady compounding over time, especially as investors prioritise quality over speculation.

Fast Growers: Searching for the Next Multibagger

Fast growers continue to attract attention as investors hunt for high-growth opportunities in themes like digital transformation, manufacturing expansion, and emerging technologies. However, elevated valuations mean growth must be backed by real earnings delivery rather than narratives alone. Careful stock selection and patience are crucial in this segment.

Cyclicals: Riding Economic Waves

Cyclical stocks — including sectors linked to economic activity such as commodities, capital goods, and autos — are experiencing sharper swings amid shifting global growth expectations. These businesses can generate strong returns when conditions improve, but timing and an understanding of industry cycles are essential because profits can reverse quickly if macro trends weaken.

Turnarounds: Opportunity with Caution

Turnaround stories are emerging as companies restructure, reduce debt, or benefit from improving industry conditions. While such opportunities can offer meaningful upside, they require careful analysis because not all recovery stories succeed. Investors are focusing on clear catalysts like improving cash flows, management changes, or supportive policy environments.

Asset Plays: Unlocking Hidden Value

Asset plays — companies whose underlying assets or investments may be undervalued — are gaining attention as themes like value unlocking, demergers, and strategic listings gather momentum. These opportunities often require patience, as the gap between intrinsic value and market price can take time to close, but they can reward investors willing to wait.

Also read: AI sore big tech cos’ artificial splurge eats into stock buybacks

A Timeless Framework for Modern Investors

Applying Lynch’s approach in current market conditions encourages investors to look beyond short-term headlines and instead focus on what kind of stock they own, what returns to expect, and what risks could challenge the investment thesis. In a market shaped by rapid change yet recurring cycles, this disciplined framework can help investors stay grounded and make more informed decisions.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)