Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
ASX Shares Slide After ASIC Imposes A$150 Million Capital Requirement 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
The S&P 500 surged 1.5% on Friday, with the Nasdaq rising 1.6% and the Dow Jones climbing 600 points (1.4%) after an intense meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stirred geopolitical concerns.
During their Oval Office discussion, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not expressing enough gratitude for U.S. support in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Trump suggested a rare earth minerals deal could improve Ukraine’s negotiating stance, warning Zelenskyy against risking World War III. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked the U.S. on social media, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to a just peace.
Meanwhile, U.S. inflation data showed PCE prices rose 0.3% in January, maintaining December’s pace. Year-over-year, PCE inflation slightly eased to 2.5%, while core PCE slowed to 2.6%, aligning with expectations. Consumer spending, however, unexpectedly declined by 0.2%, clouding the economic outlook for the Federal Reserve, which has paused interest rate cuts.
Tech stocks faced pressure, with Dell dropping over 4% due to expected margin declines in 2026 amid rising AI server costs. HP fell more than 6% after warning that Trump’s proposed tariffs on China could increase expenses.
Bitcoin trimmed losses but remains down 17% in February as risk sentiment wanes. While digital assets initially surged after Trump’s election victory, fading hopes for crypto-friendly policies and tariff fears have dampened enthusiasm.
Elsewhere, gold prices remained under pressure, and oil was set for its first monthly decline since November.
