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Trump Imposes 15% Global Tariff After Supreme Court Voids Reciprocal Trade Barriers

President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions Monday by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a blanket 15% tariff on all imports, one day after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that his reciprocal tariffs exceeded executive authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Major trading partners, including the European Union, warned that the new levies could jeopardize previously negotiated trade agreements, sending U.S. equity futures sharply lower and driving safe-haven assets higher.

European Stocks Draw Record Inflows as Investors Seek Diversification Amid U.S. Market Concerns

Global investors are allocating unprecedented capital into European equities as valuations in the U.S. market remain elevated and concerns about a potential bubble in AI-linked stocks persist. The record inflows reflect a growing appetite for diversification and exposure to traditional sectors such as banking, natural resources, and defense, which have lagged behind U.S. tech in recent years but now present attractive valuations.

Walmart Beats Q4 Estimates but Soft Full-Year Guidance Rattles Investors

Walmart delivered better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue on Thursday, fueled by robust e-commerce growth and expanding advertising revenue, but its full-year earnings outlook of $2.75 to $2.85 per share fell short of Wall Street's consensus of $2.96, sending shares modestly lower in premarket trading and raising questions about the pace of margin expansion under its new chief executive.

Gold Hovers Near $5,000 as Safe-Haven Demand, Central Bank Buying, and Rate Uncertainty Converge

Gold remained firmly anchored near the $4,990 per ounce level on Thursday as a confluence of persistent geopolitical tensions, continued central bank accumulation led by China's People's Bank, and growing expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts kept bullion elevated after its historic surge of more than 60% in 2025 — with major banks targeting prices well above $5,000 by year-end.

Global Markets Muted as AI Jitters and Geopolitical Tensions Influence Traders

Global stock markets were largely quiet, with muted trading in Europe and Asia as investors balanced concerns over AI sector pressure with geopolitical developments including U.S.-Iran talks. Futures for major U.S. indices remained lower, while commodities such as crude oil saw modest gains amid shifting risk sentiment.

Coinbase Surges 16% Despite Earnings Miss as $1 Billion Share Buyback Signals Confidence

Coinbase Global rallied 16.4% on Friday following fourth quarter results that missed revenue estimates but showcased $3.07 billion in free cash flow and completion of a $1 billion share buyback program. The cryptocurrency exchange's transformation into a diversified financial infrastructure platform attracted renewed institutional buying led by Cathie Wood's ARK Invest, which purchased $15.2 million in shares.

Earnings Movers: Applied Materials, Rivian, Coinbase Lead Stock Action

A broad set of individual stocks showed significant moves as investors assessed mixed earnings results and guidance. Semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials and electric vehicle maker Rivian surged on strong quarterly results, while several other companies including Pinterest and DraftKings saw pronounced declines, illustrating divergent sector performance amid ongoing market volatility.

Dollar Weakness Intensifies as Currency Markets Position for Fed Policy Pivot

The U.S. Dollar Index fell to its lowest level this month as traders increased bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts following weaker-than-expected labor market revisions. The Japanese yen strengthened for a fourth consecutive day amid growing expectations the Bank of Japan will maintain its hawkish stance and potentially raise rates in April.

Technology Giants Navigate AI Investment Surge Amid Rising Debt Concerns

Major technology companies are embarking on unprecedented capital spending programs to build AI infrastructure, with Morgan Stanley estimating hyperscalers will raise approximately $400 billion in corporate bonds in 2026. Oracle's elevated debt levels have emerged as a particular concern, while most big tech firms maintain solid balance sheets despite aggressive AI investments.