Global financial markets displayed a cautious tone Tuesday, with muted equity performance across major regions. Investors grappled with the ongoing selloff in technology stocks and broader concerns about the implications of artificial intelligence spending and valuations. At the same time, developments in U.S.-Iran indirect talks and other geopolitical dynamics kept traders attentive to risk-off catalysts that could influence oil and commodity prices.
In the U.S., futures for the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 were modestly lower, echoing sentiment from earlier sessions. European equities saw mixed results, while Asian markets responded to weaker Q4 GDP data from Japan and intermittent holiday closures. Commodity markets demonstrated some divergence, with crude oil prices edging higher amid geopolitical uncertainties. Precious metals such as gold and silver saw slight declines as markets weighed risk sentiment against safe-haven demand.