Market Update

The United States’ economic growth slowed more than expected in the final quarter of 2025, with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding at an annualized rate of just 1.4%. This is a marked drop from the 4.4% growth recorded in the previous quarter and falls short of the anticipated 3% …

U.S. inflation data for December delivered a mild upside surprise, with the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index rising to 2.9% year over year, slightly above market expectations of 2.8%. The figures suggest that inflation pressures remain sticky as the year closed, even as broader disinflation trends continue to unfold.On …

Gold prices edged higher on Friday, building on gains from the previous two sessions, as investors balanced renewed geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran against a stronger dollar and cautious signals from the Federal Reserve. By 06:00 ET (11:00 GMT), spot gold rose 0.8% to $5,034.77 per ounce, …

Nvidia is close to finalizing a $30 billion investment in OpenAI, marking a significant strategic move by the world’s leading AI chipmaker to take a direct stake in one of its largest and most influential customers, according to a person familiar with the matter. The investment is expected to form …

European equities traded higher on Friday and were on track to post their strongest weekly gains since early January, supported by an improving corporate earnings outlook and easing concerns over near-term disruption from artificial intelligence, although persistent geopolitical tensions tempered overall enthusiasm. By 09:42 GMT, the pan-European STOXX 600 index …

U.K. private sector activity expanded at its fastest pace in nearly two years during February, driven by a strong rebound in manufacturing output and a sustained recovery in new business, according to flash PMI data released on Friday. The S&P Global Flash UK Composite Output Index rose to 53.9 in …

France’s private sector showed little sign of meaningful growth in February, with business activity remaining broadly flat at the start of the year, according to a closely watched monthly survey released on Friday. The HCOB Flash France Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 49.6 points …

German business activity expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in February, supported by a rebound in manufacturing and stronger momentum in the services sector, according to flash PMI data released on Friday. The German Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.1 in February, exceeding market expectations of 52.2 and improving …

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 …