Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Oil Prices Ease as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Peace Deal and Strait of Hormuz Reopening 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
U.S. stocks closed mixed on Friday after a volatile trading session, as investors reacted to softer-than-expected January CPI data and falling Treasury yields. The S&P 500 finished flat at 6,835.08, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1% to 49,500.93. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.2% to 22,546.67, weighed down by tech sector volatility. For the week, the S&P 500 declined 1.4%, the Dow lost 1.2%, and the Nasdaq dropped 2.1%.
Fresh data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.4% year-over-year in January, below expectations of 2.5% and easing from December’s 2.7%. On a monthly basis, CPI increased 0.2%, also under forecasts. Core CPI met estimates both monthly and annually, reinforcing signs that inflation is gradually cooling toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
The softer inflation report boosted expectations for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026, according to CME FedWatch data. Treasury yields fell sharply, with the 10-year yield dropping 6 basis points to 4.049% and the 2-year yield sliding to 3.410%. Lower yields typically support interest rate-sensitive sectors such as small-cap stocks, utilities, and real estate.
Technology stocks remained in focus after Thursday’s sharp selloff driven by concerns about artificial intelligence disruption and shifting market leadership. Applied Materials surged on strong guidance tied to AI-driven semiconductor demand and memory chip shortages. Arista Networks gained after reaffirming its margin outlook despite higher chip costs. Meanwhile, Pinterest shares fell on weak revenue guidance amid softer advertising spending. Airbnb climbed after beating revenue expectations and signaling resilient travel demand.
In commodities, gold prices rebounded more than 2% on safe-haven demand amid geopolitical tensions involving the U.S. and Iran. Oil prices fluctuated, with Brent crude near $67.60 and WTI around $62.77, as supply surplus concerns offset geopolitical risks.
Markets now turn their focus to upcoming economic data and Federal Reserve policy signals to gauge the outlook for interest rates and equity markets.
