Market Update

Oil prices edged higher in Asian trading on Friday, building on strong gains from the previous two sessions and putting benchmarks on course for a weekly rise of around 6%, as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran stoked fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East. By 22:41 …

U.K. retail sales posted a strong start to the year in January, significantly outperforming expectations and building on December’s gains, suggesting that consumers entered the new year with a greater degree of confidence than anticipated. According to data released Friday by the Office for National Statistics, retail sales volumes rose …

Comments from Mary Daly reinforced the view that US monetary policy is on solid footing, with current settings seen as appropriate for prevailing economic conditions. Recent progress on inflation, alongside signs of a healthier balance in the labor market, has reduced the need for urgent policy changes.Inflation progress supports patienceDaly …

Nvidia in Focus Ahead of Earnings as AI Momentum Faces a Critical TestAs its latest earnings release approaches, Nvidia has moved firmly into the market spotlight. Expectations are high that the results will offer fresh insight into whether the global surge in artificial intelligence spending remains intact—or is beginning to …

The Japanese yen traded calmly against the US dollar on Thursday, with the currency pair lingering just under the 155 level. Activity remained muted as investors chose to stay on the sidelines ahead of Japan’s upcoming inflation report, a release expected to provide fresh direction for the market.Dollar strength sets …

US stocks moved lower on Thursday as investors shifted to a more defensive stance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by nearly 300 points, giving up a portion of the previous session’s gains as uncertainty resurfaced across global markets.Middle East risks reignite inflation worriesRenewed tensions involving the United States and …

Oil prices climbed to their highest levels since August 2025 on Thursday, fueled by escalating tensions between the US and Iran. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded around $66.35 per barrel, extending gains from a sharp rally earlier this week. Brent crude also followed suit, reaching $71.55 per barrel.The surge reflects …

Gold hovered just below $5,000 on Thursday, unable to extend recent gains as investors balanced a strong US Dollar with ongoing global uncertainties. The precious metal has drawn attention as a safe-haven amid rising tensions in the Middle East.Prices stayed around $4,975 per ounce, consolidating after briefly reaching $5,021 earlier …

The latest data from the United States shows a notable drop in new unemployment claims, signaling resilience in the labor market. For the week ending February 14, initial jobless claims fell to 206,000, down from a revised 229,000 the previous week. This marks a stronger-than-expected decline, suggesting fewer Americans are …

Recent discussions around the leadership of the European Central Bank (ECB) have stirred speculation in financial circles, with reports suggesting the possibility of an early resignation by the current ECB President. While this has caught attention, economists maintain that any changes at the top are unlikely to alter the bank’s …