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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.

Fed Minutes Reveal Deep Divide on Rate Path as Powell Succession Looms

Minutes from the Federal Reserve's January policy meeting, released Wednesday, showed officials broadly endorsing a pause in rate cuts but sharply divided on what comes next, with some members open to resuming easing if inflation continues to cool and others arguing for an extended hold — a split that is amplifying market uncertainty ahead of Friday's critical GDP and PCE data release.

Technology Stocks Rebound as AI Concerns Ease, Russell 2000 Outperforms with 1.2% Gain

U.S. equity markets extended gains on Tuesday with the S&P 500 rising modestly and technology stocks rebounding sharply from recent AI-driven selloffs. The Russell 2000 small-cap index surged 1.2% while most megacap tech companies advanced, with Nvidia leading gains following the Meta chip deal announcement. Nearly 350 constituents of the S&P 500 posted positive returns as investor sentiment improved on solid economic data and easing concerns about AI infrastructure spending sustainability.

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.

Nasdaq Extends Losing Streak as AI Chip Selloff Deepens on Return From Holiday

U.S. equities slumped Tuesday as traders returned from the Presidents' Day holiday to a continuation of the technology-sector rout, with a key gauge of chipmakers including Nvidia and Broadcom falling 1.2%. The Nasdaq Composite extended its longest weekly slide since 2022, pushing both the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy index into negative territory for 2026 amid intensifying anxiety over the sustainability of artificial intelligence infrastructure spending.

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.

Trump Administration Orders Pentagon to Purchase Coal-Fired Electricity in Historic Energy Reversal

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 11, 2026, directing the Department of Defense to enter long-term electricity contracts with coal-fired power plants, marking the administration's most aggressive attempt to revive the declining coal industry. The move, coupled with $175 million in Department of Energy funding for coal plant upgrades, could provide financial lifelines to dozens of facilities scheduled for retirement.

Spotify Delivers Blowout Fourth Quarter Results, Shares Surge 18% on Record User Growth

Spotify reported fourth quarter earnings per share of €4.43, crushing analyst estimates of €2.74 by 62% as the streaming giant added a record 38 million monthly active users to reach 751 million total. Operating income jumped 47% to €701 million while gross margins hit record highs of 33.1%, sending shares up 18% in early trading on Monday.