Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Japan Signals Preference for Low Interest Rates as BOJ Policy Debate Intensifies 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
The S&P 500 surged 1.5% on Friday, with the Nasdaq rising 1.6% and the Dow Jones climbing 600 points (1.4%) after an intense meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stirred geopolitical concerns.
During their Oval Office discussion, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for U.S. support in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Trump suggested a rare earth minerals deal could improve Ukraine’s negotiating stance, warning Zelenskyy against risking World War III. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. on social media, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to a just peace.
Meanwhile, U.S. inflation data showed PCE prices rose 0.3% in January, maintaining December’s pace. Year-over-year, PCE inflation slightly eased to 2.5%, while core PCE slowed to 2.6%, aligning with expectations. Consumer spending, however, unexpectedly declined by 0.2%, clouding the economic outlook for the Federal Reserve, which has paused interest rate cuts.
Tech stocks faced pressure, with Dell dropping over 4% due to expected margin declines in 2026 amid rising AI server costs. HP fell more than 6% after warning that Trump’s proposed tariffs on China could increase expenses.
Bitcoin trimmed losses but remains down 17% in February as risk sentiment wanes. While digital assets initially surged after Trump’s election victory, fading hopes for crypto-friendly policies and tariff fears have dampened enthusiasm.
Elsewhere, gold prices remained under pressure, and oil was set for its first monthly decline since November.
