Here are four things you need to know this morning
Alphabet offers ultra-rare 100-year bond: Alphabet Inc. is selling sterling and Swiss franc-denominated bonds for the first time, including an ultra-rare issue of a 100-year note, following a bumper $20 billion deal in the U.S.. Alphabet’s 100-year note is the first sale with such an extreme maturity by a technology firm since Motorola sold this type of debt in 1997, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “I could not justify taking such a long maturity bond in most companies — especially not one subject to an ever-changing landscape,” said Alex Ralph, co-portfolio manager of Nedgroup Investments Global Strategic Bond Fund. “100-year bonds tend to have a habit of calling the top of a market as well.” Other tech firms, including Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp., have also announced huge spending plans for 2026, while Morgan Stanley expects borrowing by the massive cloud-computing companies known as hyperscalers to reach $400 billion this year, up from $165 billion in 2025.
Michigan lawmakers respond to Trump Windsor-Detroit bridge threat: In a lengthy Truth Social post on Monday evening, U.S. President, Donald Trump attacked Canada, saying it has “treated the United States very unfairly for decades,” as he brought up the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which is set to open this year. Trump complained that the Canadian government built the bridge “with virtually no U.S. content” and it owns “both the Canada and the United States side” of it. While Ottawa entirely funded the construction of the $5.7 billion structure, the bridge’s website notes that it will be publicly owned by “the governments of Canada and Michigan.” Trump said he will start negotiations on the matter immediately and argued that the U.S. government should own “perhaps, at least one half of this asset.” Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., wrote on X that the bridge is an “incredibly important infrastructure project for Michigan” and Trump’s “threat tonight to tank it is awful for our state’s economy.” She warned that scrapping the project will have major repercussions like: “Higher costs for Michigan businesses, less secure supply chains, and ultimately, fewer jobs.”
Canadians caught in Cuba by U.S. oil blockade: Canadians in Cuba are waiting for flights home as an energy crisis worsens in the nation amid a U.S. oil blockade. Major Canadian airlines have already suspended service to Cuba, including Air Canada and WestJet. All three airlines have confirmed they plan to bring travellers back home to Canada. Calgary-based WestJet says its decision to wind down winter operations will affect WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec. The Trump Administration is cutting Cuba off from using traditional fuel sources to put pressure on the communist-run island nation, which has long been under strict economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. government.
Brookfield looking to expand Japanese footprint: Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. is near a deal to to acquire Dentsu Advertising’s headquarters building in Tokyo for about ¥300 billion ($1.9 billion U.S.), according to people familiar with the matter. The New York-based investment management firm is in final talks to buy the property from a special purpose company run by Hulic Co. and others and expects to close the deal by the end of March, the people said. Discussions are ongoing and the parties may decide against proceeding with a deal, the people added. Brookfield opened a Japan office about 10 years ago and has been expanding its business in the country in recent years. At the end of 2024 it acquired a stake in Meguro Gajoe.
