CNBC Business News Update Market Open: Stocks Lower, Hyatt Chairman Resigns Over Epstein Connection, Oil Prices Higher 2/17/26
Feb 17, 2026
Markets start mixed after a rocky week with tech pullbacks and index divergence. A major hotel chairman steps down amid ties to a notorious financier. Media sale chatter heats up as studios weigh bidding strategies. Activist investors accumulate a big stake in a cruise giant. Geopolitical talks lift oil prices amid renewed supply concerns.
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Mixed Market Momentum Holds
- Markets opened mixed after their worst week in nearly three months, with the Dow up and major indexes showing uneven performance.
- Under the surface there have been several mini corrections but no broad rush out of risk, per Citi's Drew Pettit on CNBC.
Hyatt Chairman Steps Down After Epstein Ties
- Hyatt Hotels chairman Thomas Pritzker announced his retirement after more than 20 years amid revelations of contact with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Pritzker said he regrets the connection and renounced his relationship with Epstein and an accomplice.
Warner Bros. Sale Talks Reawakened
- Warner Bros. is reportedly reopening talks to sell itself to Paramount while Netflix remains a rival bidder.
- Warner's board set a March deadline to decide who wins the company, raising takeover pressure.