Asian markets tumbled amid rising geopolitical tensions and energy supply fears. South Korea’s KOSPI plunged more than 11%, while Thailand halted trading after an 8% intraday drop.
Global markets plunged as soaring energy prices tied to the Middle East conflict triggered widespread selling across equities, bonds, metals, and crypto. More than $4.7 trillion in value was erased within hours.
Apple introduced M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside updated MacBook Pro models focused on peak performance and on-device AI. The company also launched new Studio Displays, refreshed the iPad Air with M4, and revealed the iPhone 17e starting at $599.
Roughly $1 trillion in market value evaporated from U.S. equities shortly after the opening bell as global markets extended losses tied to escalating Middle East tensions. Futures across the U.S., Europe, and Asia moved sharply lower.
Gold surged above $5,400 after reports of a drone strike on Saudi Aramco’s largest refinery, triggering a rush into safe-haven assets. Within an hour, however, both gold and silver sharply reversed as volatility intensified.
Markets turned sharply volatile as escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran drove investors into safe-haven assets. Gold neared record highs while oil spiked nearly 12%, and U.S. equity futures fell.
Netflix exited its months-long pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery after Paramount Skydance submitted a higher $31-per-share offer. Netflix shares jumped more than 10% as investors welcomed the decision and a $2.8 billion breakup fee.
Nvidia reported record fourth-quarter revenue of $68.1 billion, up 73% year over year, as artificial intelligence demand continued to fuel explosive growth. Net income surged 94% to $43 billion, well above analyst expectations.
U.S. software stocks are tumbling in 2026 as investors fear sudden AI breakthroughs could render established products obsolete. The sector’s slide has accelerated despite steady earnings, with major names posting double-digit losses.
Finland-based IQM is set to go public at a $1.8 billion valuation, becoming one of Europe’s first listed quantum computing companies. The move marks a milestone for the region’s emerging deep-tech sector.
Shares of EPAM Systems fell 20% after the IT services firm issued a cautious 2026 outlook, overshadowing better-than-expected quarterly results. The drop marked the worst performance in the S&P 500 for the session.
U.S. equities experienced a dramatic intraday reversal, wiping out hundreds of billions of dollars before recovering nearly the same amount within hours. Major indices swung from losses of more than 1% to solid gains by the close.
The Netherlands plans to impose a 36% tax on unrealized gains from stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies starting in 2028. Critics warn the move could drive investors to shift capital abroad.
