ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Yen Surges After Takaichi Election Win as Markets Eye U.S. Inflation Data 
BOJ Governor Ueda Meets PM Takaichi as Markets Eye Possible Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Gold Prices Steady Above $5,000 as Markets Eye Fed Minutes and PCE Inflation Data 
Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
Wall Street ended Thursday’s session in negative territory as losses in private equity firms and weakness in major blue-chip stocks like Apple and Walmart offset earnings-driven gains in industrial shares. Investor sentiment remained cautious amid concerns over credit quality, artificial intelligence valuations, and uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve interest rate policy.
Private equity stocks led the decline after Blue Owl Capital announced it would sell $1.4 billion in assets and suspend redemptions in one of its funds to manage debt and return capital. The move intensified worries about lenders’ exposure to software companies and broader credit risks. Blue Owl shares plunged 6%, while Apollo Global Management, Ares Management, KKR & Co, and Carlyle Group fell between 1.9% and 5.2%.
Apple slipped 1.4%, exerting the biggest drag on the S&P 500, while Walmart also dropped 1.4%. The retailer’s new CEO, John Furner, issued a conservative fiscal 2027 forecast despite announcing a $30 billion share buyback program. AI-related technology stocks continued to face volatility as investors questioned whether heavy artificial intelligence investments are translating into meaningful revenue and profit growth. Market participants are increasingly evaluating which industries, from software to logistics, could face disruption from rapidly evolving AI tools.
Despite broader weakness, Deere & Co surged 11.6% after beating first-quarter earnings estimates and raising its annual profit forecast. Omnicom climbed 15% on strong fourth-quarter revenue results, while Carvana fell nearly 8% following weaker-than-expected earnings. EPAM Systems tumbled 17% after issuing cautious guidance.
The S&P 500 declined 0.28% to 6,861.89, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.31% to 22,682.73, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.54% to 49,395.16. Energy stocks gained 0.6% as oil prices rose amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, while financials slipped 0.9%.
Investors are closely watching economic data, including weekly jobless claims and the upcoming Personal Consumption Expenditures report, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool, markets are pricing in a 50% probability of a rate cut by June. Trading volume remained light, with declining stocks outpacing advancers across major indexes.
