Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on the Republic of Iceland to 'A-' from 'BBB+'. Also, the credit rating agency affirmed the short-term ratings as 'A-2', while keeping the outlook stable.
Iceland's balance of payments performance has exceeded the S&P Global forecasts. The credit rating agency estimated the current account surplus was more than 5 percent of GDP in 2016, predominantly supported by robust tourism growth.
The Central Bank of Iceland's (CBI) foreign exchange reserves grew by over 40 percent last year, marking a visible strengthening in the economy's external position. Therefore raising long-term ratings on Iceland to 'A-' from 'BBB+', reported S&P Global in its press release.
The stable outlook primarily balances the potential for further improvement in Iceland's external and monetary profiles, as capital controls are fully lifted, against the risk of the domestic economy overheating over the next two years, they added.
