Asia FX Steady as Iran War Signals and U.S. Inflation Data Weigh on Sentiment 
ANZ and Westpac Forecast Two RBA Rate Hikes in March and May 2026 
RBA Set for Back-to-Back Rate Hikes, Westpac Forecasts 
German Exports Drop 2.3% in January, Exceeding Forecast Decline 
Asian Stock Markets Rise as Oil Prices Pull Back; U.S. CPI in Focus 
Asian Markets Retreat as Oil Prices Surge Toward $100 Amid Middle East Tensions 
Iran-Israel War Sparks Global Oil Crisis as Tankers Burn in Gulf Waters 
Gold Prices Slip as U.S.-Israel-Iran War Fuels Dollar and Oil Demand 
UK Housing Market Slows Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Mortgage Rate Fears 
Diesel Price Surge Threatens Global Economy Amid Middle East Conflict 
Dollar Stabilizes Amid Iran War Uncertainty as Oil Prices Remain Elevated 
Trump Administration Launches Trade Investigations Against 16 Countries Over Industrial Overcapacity 
Gold Prices Climb Above $5,200 as Iran War Uncertainty and Inflation Data Loom 
Asian Currencies Face Pressure as U.S.-Iran Conflict Weighs on Markets 
Bank of Japan Expected to Hold Rates at 0.75% Before June Hike Amid Middle East War Uncertainty 
U.S. Markets Slip Amid Iran Conflict Uncertainty as Oil Prices Retreat 
U.S. stocks closed sharply higher on Wednesday as investors positioned themselves ahead of Nvidia’s highly anticipated quarterly earnings report. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 6,947.98, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.3% to 23,152.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.6%, ending the session at 49,482.27. The rebound extended a recovery in the technology sector after Monday’s sharp sell-off, signaling renewed confidence in AI-driven growth stocks.
Market sentiment improved as fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruption across multiple industries began to ease. Investors welcomed fresh developments in the AI space, including Meta Platforms’ multi-year partnership with Advanced Micro Devices and new strategic collaborations announced by Anthropic. These updates helped stabilize software and data-related stocks that had recently faced pressure.
All eyes are now on Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), whose earnings are expected to serve as a bellwether for the broader AI industry and global chip demand. The company has surpassed revenue expectations for 13 consecutive quarters. Analysts forecast a 62% jump in quarterly profit and a 68% surge in revenue, according to LSEG data. Nvidia shares climbed 1.4% ahead of the results, reflecting cautious optimism across Wall Street. Earnings from Salesforce and Snowflake are also scheduled after the closing bell.
Outside the tech sector, MercadoLibre shares dropped nearly 8% after reporting lower quarterly profits due to increased spending on credit and logistics expansion.
Meanwhile, investors continue monitoring U.S. tariff policy. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for temporary 10% global tariffs during his State of the Union address, despite a recent Supreme Court decision challenging prior trade measures.
In commodities markets, oil prices hovered near seven-month highs. Brent crude rose 0.3% to $70.76 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.2% to $65.47, as traders focused on upcoming U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and heightened geopolitical tensions.
