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NVIDIA Commits $2 Billion to Nebius in AI Data Center Partnership Targeting 5 Gigawatts by 2030

NVIDIA announced a $2 billion strategic investment in Amsterdam-based AI cloud provider Nebius Group on Wednesday, deepening a partnership aimed at deploying more than 5 gigawatts of NVIDIA-powered AI infrastructure by the end of 2030. Nebius shares surged more than 10% on the news, as the deal reinforces NVIDIA's strategy of investing in companies that purchase its chips at hyperscale.

Strait of Hormuz Attacks Drive Brent Above $90 as Iran War Rattles Global Shipping Markets

Three commercial vessels were struck by projectiles in or near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, including one ship forced to evacuate its crew after a fire broke out 11 nautical miles north of Oman. Brent crude climbed back above $90 per barrel despite a proposed record release of emergency reserves by the International Energy Agency, as military escalation between the U.S. and Iran continued to unsettle global energy markets.

Cintas Clinches $5.5 Billion UniFirst Acquisition, Creating Dominant North American Uniform Services Giant

Cintas Corporation announced Wednesday it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire rival uniform maker UniFirst for $310 per share in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $5.5 billion, ending years of failed pursuit of the Croatti family-controlled company. The combined entity will serve roughly 1.5 million North American business customers and is expected to generate $375 million in annual operating synergies within four years.

February CPI Meets Forecasts at 2.4%, But Iran War Threatens to Reignite Inflation in Coming Months

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday that February's Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-over-year, in line with economist expectations, with core CPI advancing 2.5%. While the on-target print briefly steadied markets, analysts warn the data predates the Iran conflict-driven oil price spike, leaving the Federal Reserve's rate path highly uncertain as energy-driven inflation risks build for the months ahead.

Oil Price Volatility Keeps Energy and Airline Stocks on Edge

Crude oil prices swung sharply as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to influence global energy markets. The volatility has raised concerns about renewed inflation pressures while creating diverging prospects for energy producers and transportation companies, forcing investors to reassess sector positioning across oil majors, refiners, airlines, and shipping companies.

AI Infrastructure Spending Continues to Dominate Global Technology Budgets

Corporate technology spending continues to shift toward artificial intelligence infrastructure as companies race to deploy advanced computing capabilities. The trend is fueling demand across semiconductors, networking hardware, cloud platforms, and data-center equipment suppliers, reinforcing AI as one of the most powerful structural themes shaping equity markets.

Wall Street Futures Rise as Hopes Grow for De-escalation in Middle East Conflict

U.S. stock futures moved higher after comments suggesting the Middle East conflict may move toward de-escalation, easing pressure on oil prices and global markets. The possibility of stabilizing energy supply has lifted investor sentiment, particularly for technology and consumer sectors that had been pressured by rising fuel costs and inflation expectations earlier in the week.

Oil Shock Raises Risk of Financial Stress as Central Banks Monitor Inflation Surge

Central banks and global investors are closely monitoring the ripple effects of a sudden oil price shock that has unsettled financial markets. The surge in crude prices could feed inflation, tighten financial conditions, and influence interest rate expectations, creating new challenges for equity markets and credit investors alike.

Volatility Surges as Energy Shock Drives Risk Rotation Across Global Equities

A surge in market volatility driven by energy price shocks and geopolitical uncertainty is prompting investors to rotate between sectors. Defensive stocks, energy producers, and commodity-linked companies are gaining favor while high-growth and travel-related shares face renewed pressure amid rising inflation expectations.