Market Update

The State Department’s planned $400 million purchase of “Armoured Teslas” has hit a roadblock. A 2025 procurement forecast, initially listing the purchase, was recently updated to remove Tesla’s name and instead specify “Armoured Electric Vehicles.” This change follows reports of potential conflict of interest due to Elon Musk’s prominent role …

Big Tech’s 2025 is a story of headwinds. Giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple grapple with missed targets and stock declines. Yet, Meta defies the trend, riding a 24% stock surge. The key? A strategic, inward-focused AI gambit.While others chase external clients, Meta’s AI investments directly fuel its core: …

U.S. producer prices increased more than expected in January, reinforcing concerns that inflation is reaccelerating and pushing back expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts to the second half of 2025. According to Thursday’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report: The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand rose 0.4% …

U.S. stock index futures remained largely unchanged on Thursday as investors assessed potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, alongside upcoming inflation data and corporate earnings reports. As of 10:10 GMT: Dow Jones Futures fell 10 points (-0.1%) S&P 500 Futures dropped 1 point (-0.1%) Nasdaq 100 Futures edged up …

The U.S. dollar weakened on Thursday, while the euro gained, as optimism grew over a potential resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict following discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and the leaders of both nations. As of 09:25 GMT, the Dollar Index, which measures the greenback’s performance against a basket of …

Gold prices rose in Asian trade on Thursday, holding close to record levels despite a broader risk-on sentiment in financial markets fueled by renewed hopes for a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine. The yellow metal’s strength was primarily driven by a weaker U.S. dollar, which declined even after January’s …

European stocks surged to a record high on Thursday, driven by strong earnings from Nestlé and growing market optimism over potential peace talks between the United States and Russia regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. As of 08:13 GMT, the pan-European STOXX 600 index gained 0.5%, extending its record-breaking rally …

Oil prices fell in Asian trading on Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump signaled potential progress toward a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine. The possibility of an agreement raised expectations that U.S. sanctions on Russian crude could be lifted, increasing global oil supply. Meanwhile, a higher-than-expected U.S. consumer inflation …

The Bank of Canada faces a complex challenge. Recent meeting minutes reveal that potential US tariffs are a central concern, prompting a pre-emptive rate cut to bolster economic activity. The council, including figures like Governor Tiff Macklem, are now carefully monitoring the economic landscape.Inflationary Pressures and the Risk of ContagionWhile …

Bitcoin’s recent price action has sparked considerable interest, particularly its swift recovery after an initial dip triggered by unexpectedly high U.S. inflation data. This rebound, coupled with other market dynamics, raises questions about the forces currently shaping the cryptocurrency landscape.Inflation’s Impact and the Fed’s HawkishnessThe release of stronger-than-anticipated Consumer Price …