Finance & Markets News Today — October 1, 2026
My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50? and more — today's news signal.
Global markets are navigating a complex landscape of geopolitics, economic trends, and technological advancements. The ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan have taken center stage, with China's President Xi Jinping issuing a stern warning to Taiwan as the country celebrates its National Day holiday. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are underway elsewhere, with US President Trump announcing a $200 billion investment plan with South Korea, which could have implications for major projects such as the Alaska LNG project.
In other news, the intersection of technology and finance is making headlines, with the US taking steps to make it easier for retail investors to access private markets. This development could have significant implications for individual investors, including those planning for retirement. In a related story, a reader query highlights the complexities of retirement planning, including the question of whether retirement savings should be subject to a 50/50 split in the event of a divorce. Amidst these market and economic developments, tech leaders are also converging, as evidenced by President Trump's recent AI lunch, which brought together major players in the industry - with one notable exception.
Today's signal:
• My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50? (marketwatch.com)
• The U.S. just made it much easier for retail investors to access private markets (cnbc.com)
• In photos: China's Xi hardens Taiwan warning as country celebrates week-long National Day holiday (cnbc.com)
• Trump touts $200 billion South Korean investment plan as Alaska LNG project hangs in balance (cnbc.com)
• Trump’s AI lunch included every major tech company. Except Apple (cnbc.com)
• Passengers and crew foil co-pilot's apparent attempt to crash FlyDubai flight to Israel (cnbc.com)