Disney made a strategic move to retain a potential CEO rival, offering a lucrative compensation package to Dana Walden, according to a February 2026 SEC filing. Meanwhile, global markets saw mixed activity, with Asian and European markets experiencing gains, while a former Hong Kong media tycoon was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and a "Shark Tank" alum sought quick cash to pay tariffs.
After naming Josh D'Amaro as its next CEO, Disney sought to ensure Dana Walden, who many believed could have easily won the top job, remained with the company. The resulting pay-to-stay compensation package included a base salary for Walden that exceeded her boss's, a move that Fortune described as unusual in corporate America. This was a deliberate effort to bind Walden to D'Amaro's success.
Global markets showed varied performance. The STOXX Europe 600 was up 0.27 in early trading, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose by 3.89%, and South Korea's KOSPI increased by 4.1%, according to Fortune. However, the S&P 500 futures were flat after closing up strongly on Friday by 1.97. Goldman's "Panic Index" was approaching "max fear," suggesting potential volatility ahead.
In Hong Kong, Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy former media tycoon and a vocal critic of Beijing, was sentenced to 20 years in prison under a China-imposed national security law. Lai, 78, was convicted in December of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces and conspiracy to publish seditious articles, as reported by NPR. This sentence is the longest given so far under the law.
In other news, a "Shark Tank" alum, Joshua Esnard, found himself in need of quick cash to pay tariffs. He was bombarded with urgent pitches from strangers offering fast funding, with approval promised in an hour and money in a day. "No gimmicks, Joshua," one offered, according to NPR. These pitches became common since the middle of last year when many small-business owners scrambled to cover unexpected tariff bills.
Additionally, the Trump administration launched TrumpRx.gov, a platform offering discounts on 43 brand-name prescription drugs. CEOs in the healthcare industry are reacting to the launch, according to Fortune.
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