Market Update

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde reaffirmed the institution’s cautious stance on Thursday, announcing that interest rates will remain unchanged at the March policy meeting. The decision underscores the ECB’s determination to balance inflation control with fragile growth, as geopolitical tensions continue to reshape the global economic landscape. Lagarde emphasized …

U.S. stock futures edged lower on Thursday, as a sharp spike in oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. By 06:43 ET (10:43 GMT): Dow futures fell 67 points (0.2%) S&P 500 futures declined 0.2% Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.3% Oil-driven inflation fears …

Oil prices jumped sharply on Thursday, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) briefly crossing the $100 per barrel mark, as escalating attacks on energy infrastructure heightened fears of prolonged supply disruptions in the Middle East. By 23:57 ET (03:57 GMT), Brent crude surged 4.3% to $111.97 per barrel, while WTI rose …

The UK labour market showed signs of stabilization in February, with steady unemployment and stronger-than-expected job growth, even as rising energy costs threaten to weigh on the economic outlook. Unemployment held at 5.2%, below expectations of 5.3%, while payrolls increased by 20,000, outperforming forecasts for a decline of 5,000. Employment …

European stock markets moved lower on Thursday, as investors turned cautious ahead of key central bank decisions and mounting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. By 04:17 ET (08:17 GMT), the pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 1.2%, while: Germany’s DAX dropped 1.6% France’s CAC 40 declined 1.1% The U.K.’s FTSE 100 …

Gold prices edged slightly higher in Asian trading on Thursday but remained under pressure below key levels, as rising inflation concerns and uncertainty over interest rates continued to weigh on the metal. By 01:47 ET (05:47 GMT), spot gold rose 0.2% to $4,833.60 per ounce, while gold futures fell 1.3% …

The Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged on Thursday, in line with expectations, while signaling growing caution over inflation risks tied to rising energy prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. The central bank left its overnight call rate at 0.75%, with the decision backed by nearly all members …

The US Dollar strengthened on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. While the move was widely anticipated, the central bank’s hawkish tone and projections of only two rate cuts across 2026 and 2027 gave the currency fresh momentum. Earlier in the North American …

The ongoing conflict in Iran has sent shockwaves through global markets, with oil prices swinging wildly and central banks forced to reassess their next moves. Brent crude surged to $115 per barrel before retreating to $85, only to climb again to around $105—far above the $70 level seen before the …

The US Dollar surged against the Japanese Yen on Wednesday, with the pair climbing close to 160.00 after the Federal Reserve signaled a cautious outlook on interest rates. The Fed kept policy unchanged and suggested only one rate cut for 2026, reinforcing expectations that borrowing costs will remain elevated for …