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Gold Surges Past $5,044 as U.S. Military Strikes on Iran Seen as Imminent, Oil Markets on Edge

Gold prices surged to $5,044 per ounce on Friday as reports circulated that U.S. national security officials have briefed President Trump that the military is prepared for potential strikes on Iran, sending safe-haven assets sharply higher and pushing silver above $80 per ounce, while defense stocks and energy equities rallied on the prospect of broader Middle East conflict.

Fed Minutes Signal Higher-for-Longer Resolve as Officials Demand Sustained Disinflation Before Any Rate Cut

Minutes from the Federal Reserve's January FOMC meeting, released Wednesday, revealed a sharply hawkish tilt among policymakers, with most officials signaling that sustained progress on inflation — not merely a single favorable data print — would be required before resuming rate cuts, pushing market expectations for the first 2026 reduction firmly to July and pressuring rate-sensitive equities, financials, and growth stocks.

Tariff Burden on U.S. Households Hits $1,300 as Corporate Guidance Flags Mounting Trade Policy Headwinds

Tax Foundation analysis confirms that President Trump's cumulative tariff regime now represents the largest U.S. tax increase as a share of GDP since 1993, imposing an average annual burden of $1,300 per household in 2026. With Goldman Sachs estimating American companies and consumers bear over three-quarters of tariff costs, earnings guidance across industrials, consumer discretionary, and healthcare is increasingly reflecting this structural drag on margins and consumer demand.

January CPI Inflation Cools to 2.4%, Beating Expectations and Boosting Fed Rate Cut Hopes

Consumer prices rose just 2.4% annually in January, falling below the anticipated 2.5% and marking the slowest pace since May 2025. Core inflation also eased to 2.5%, its lowest level since March 2021, providing relief to markets and strengthening the case for Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026.

Eurozone Investor Morale Climbs Sharply, Signaling Potential Recovery

Investor sentiment in the eurozone improved markedly in February 2026, with the Sentix index rising to its highest level in over half a year. The unexpected uptick suggests greater confidence among institutional and retail investors in the region’s economic prospects, bolstered by improving current conditions and outlooks in major economies including Germany, amid signs of easing recessionary pressures.

Wall Street Futures Edge Lower as Bond Yields Rise Ahead of U.S. Data

On February 9, 2026, Wall Street’s main index futures pointed to a weaker open as rising Treasury yields tempered risk appetite among investors awaiting crucial U.S. employment and inflation data. The rise in yields followed reports that foreign holders, including Chinese institutions, were reassessing their U.S. Treasury exposure, underscoring broader concerns about global fixed-income demand dynamics and macroeconomic uncertainty.

Bitcoin Tumbles Below $70,000 as Cryptocurrency Markets Face Continued Pressure

Bitcoin slipped below $70,000 on Monday following last week's volatile trading that saw the cryptocurrency briefly touch $60,000. The decline extends Bitcoin's retreat from October's record high, with the digital asset down approximately 50% from peak levels as institutional flows weaken and correlation with risk assets intensifies.