By Global financial markets remained cautious as investors grappled with mixed economic signals and geopolitical uncertainties. U.S. stocks opened lower, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively, amid disappointing earnings and concerns over new tariffs.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 initially rose on strong Q4 GDP growth of 2.8% but later stabilized. South Korea’s Kospi gained slightly, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped due to global trade worries.
European markets are expected to open mixed, with the U.K.’s FTSE 100 likely to dip. Investors are closely watching upcoming inflation data and flash PMI figures for insights into economic conditions.
The U.S. dollar weakened against the yen and euro, trading at 151.60 yen and 1.40 against the euro, respectively. Bitcoin held steady at 96,000, while gold surged to 2,945 announce as investors sought safe− haven assets. Oil prices edged lower, with WTI at 70.57 and Brent at $74.61 per barrel.