China Factory Activity Surges to Five-Year High as Demand Boosts Manufacturing PMI 
Trump Praises Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela Oil Exports Resume 
Dollar Hits Three-Month High as Middle East Conflict Drives Energy Prices and Market Volatility 
Dollar Rally Pauses as Euro Stabilizes Amid Middle East War Uncertainty 
Oil Tanker Attacks in Gulf Escalate U.S.–Iran Conflict, Driving Energy Prices Higher 
Asian Stocks Rebound as KOSPI Surges, China Signals Stimulus Amid Global Tensions 
EU Seeks Stronger Canada Trade Ties Amid Uncertainty Over U.S. Tariff Policy 
U.S. Stocks Fall as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation and Oil Price Concerns 
Trump Offers U.S. Insurance and Naval Escort for Tankers as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Oil Trade 
ADB: Short Strait of Hormuz Closure Would Have Limited Impact on Developing Asia Growth 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Strong Economic Data Offsets Middle East Conflict Concerns 
China Unveils New Five-Year Plan Focused on Tech Power, Economic Growth, and National Security 
Australia and Canada Strengthen Critical Minerals Partnership Through New G7 Alliance Agreements 
KOSPI Plunges Over 8% as U.S.-Iran War Sparks Global Risk Aversion and Profit-Taking 
European Stocks Slide as Middle East War Fears and Rising Oil Prices Shake Markets 
Chinese Yuan Edges Higher but Faces Biggest Weekly Drop in Over a Year Amid Strong Dollar 
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.
