Oil prices surged toward $120 per barrel as the conflict involving Iran intensified fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Global equity markets fell sharply as energy costs spiked.
BlackRock capped investor withdrawals from its $26 billion HPS Corporate Lending Fund after redemption requests surged to about $1.2 billion. The move highlights growing stress in the rapidly expanding private credit market.
U.S. equities lost nearly $1 trillion in market value shortly after the opening bell as major indexes fell across the board. The decline hit large-cap tech and small-cap stocks alike.
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.
