Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Fed Governor Stephen Miran Warns Tight Monetary Policy Threatens U.S. Economic Growth 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
BOJ Governor Ueda Meets PM Takaichi as Markets Eye Possible Rate Hike 
Yen Surges After Takaichi Election Win as Markets Eye U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key CPI Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Steady Above $5,000 as Markets Eye Fed Minutes and PCE Inflation Data 
ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
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 
Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, easing investor concerns and lifting major Wall Street indexes. The 6-3 ruling invalidated tariffs introduced last year under a federal law designed for national emergencies, sparking a relief rally across equity markets.
Although Trump criticized the decision and announced plans to implement a 10% global tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, investors reacted positively. Market participants were reassured that the replacement tariff was lower than feared, reducing uncertainty around U.S. trade policy and its impact on corporate earnings.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.69% to 6,909.51, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 0.90% to 22,886.07. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.47% to 49,625.97. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 1.08%, the Nasdaq rose 1.51%, and the Dow added 0.25%. Despite the weekly gains, the S&P 500 is up nearly 1% in 2026, trailing MSCI’s global stock index, which has risen more than 3%.
Technology heavyweights led the rally. Alphabet jumped 3.7%, Amazon gained 2.6%, and Apple rose 1.5%, supporting broader market momentum. Communication services surged 2.65%, making it the best-performing S&P 500 sector, followed by a 1.27% rise in consumer discretionary stocks. Companies previously pressured by tariffs, including Hasbro, Wayfair, Williams-Sonoma, and RH, also posted modest gains.
Investors remain focused on economic data and Federal Reserve policy. Recent reports showed slower U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter and rising inflation in December. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool, traders see just over a 50% chance of a Fed rate cut by June.
Attention is also turning to Nvidia’s upcoming earnings, as volatility in AI-related stocks continues amid concerns over high valuations and uncertain returns on artificial intelligence investments. Meanwhile, trading volume was light at 18.3 billion shares, below the 20-session average of 20.3 billion.
