ToplineGold and silver rose Friday in the latest sign of recovery from a late January crash, reaching their highest points of February as nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran lag with no agreement yet in sight. Gold prices have rallied since tumbling in late January. AP Photo/Matthias SchraderKey FactsGold futures edged up 1.3% just above the $5,260 mark while silver spiked 7.6% past the $94.25 mark Friday shortly after 1 p.m. EST.Spot prices followed suit, with gold up just over 1%, nearing an all-time ...

Gold edged higher as traders weighed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the impact of US tariffs on global trade. Bullion traded near $5,200 an ounce, having gained nearly 6% over the last six sessions, as a buildup of US troops in the Middle East kept global markets on edge. Washington and Iran started a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday, and President Donald Trump has given the Islamic Republic a deadline of March 1-6 to strike a deal, threatening military action if it fails to do so. ...

Gold Slips but Remains Above $5,100 as Markets Focus on U.S.-Iran TalksCONCLUDED[Stock Market News From Feb. 26, 2026: Nasdaq Sinks 1.2%]Last Updated:---16 hours ago# Gold Slips but Remains Above $5,100 as Markets Focus on U.S.-Iran TalksByGiulia Petroni, Dow Jones NewswiresGold prices slipped in early trading but remained above $5,100 a troy ounce as investors look ahead to U.S.-Iran talks later on Thursday.New York futures fall 0.7% to $5,191.60 an ounce, with gains tempered by concerns that U.S. interest ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the US economic outlook, specifically forecasting GDP growth for 2026 at 2.5% on a Q4/Q4 basis, which is 0.4 percentage points (pp) above consensus estimates. This growth is supported by tax cuts, reduced tariff impacts, and easier financial conditions [3][6]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **GDP Growth Forecast**: The GDP growth forecast for 2026 is 2.5% on a Q4/Q4 basis, driven by tax cuts and easing financial conditions [3][6]. 2. **Downside Risks**: Five key downside risks to the growth forecast are identified: - **Stock Market Correction**: A sustained 10% decline in equity prices could reduce GDP growth by approximately 0.5pp due to decreased consumer spending and business investment [3][4][17]. - **AI-Driven Labor Market Displacement**: Increased deployment of AI could raise the unemployment rate by 0.5pp, negatively impacting consumer spending growth by about 0.4pp. However, if AI also boosts productivity, the net GDP effect could remain positive [21][24]. - **Tariff Increases**: An additional 5pp increase in effective tariff rates could raise core PCE inflation by 0.5pp and reduce GDP growth by 0.4pp due to its tax-like impact on consumers [35][40]. - **Geopolitical Tensions and Oil Prices**: A $10/barrel increase in oil prices could weigh on GDP growth by 0.05pp, as the negative impact on consumer spending is partially offset by increased energy capital expenditures [41][42]. - **Private Credit Losses**: If loan losses at private credit firms rise to 5%, GDP growth could decrease by 0.2pp, reflecting concerns over nonbank lending risks [45][52]. 3. **Impact of Multiple Risks**: The simultaneous occurrence of multiple risks, particularly a stock market correction combined with AI-driven labor displacement, could pose significant growth challenges, potentially prompting the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates more aggressively [4][56][57]. Additional Important Insights - **Consumer Spending Dynamics**: A stock market correction would disproportionately affect spending by higher-income households, leading to a net neutral effect on consumer spending throughout 2026 [10][17]. - **AI's Dual Impact**: While AI may displace jobs, it could also enhance productivity, suggesting a complex relationship between technological advancement and economic growth [24][28]. - **Inflationary Pressures**: The report highlights potential inflationary pressures from tariffs, with a scenario where tariff passthrough to consumer prices rises to 100%, leading to higher inflation and reduced consumer spending growth [36][40]. - **Private Credit Market Valuations**: Current valuations of private credit funds indicate market expectations of further loan losses, although the overall impact on GDP is expected to be moderate [46][51]. This comprehensive analysis provides a detailed outlook on the US economy, emphasizing the interplay of various risks and their potential impacts on growth and consumer behavior.

Oil prices hover near seven-month highs ahead of US-Iran talks | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]A model of an oil pump is seen in front of an Iranian flag in this illustration taken January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]- Summary- US oil stockpiles rise, gasoline inventories fall, API data shows- Deal with US hinges on diplomacy, Iranian minister says- US-Iran talk ...

GOAL KICKSTART Focus on Middle East tensions - cross-asset implications from higher oil prices Last week both geopolitics and tariffs were back in focus. US-Iran tensions escalated, leading to a spike in crude prices. This happened despite a stronger US Dollar, supported by hawkish Fed minutes, jobless claims beating expectations (206k vs 225k forecast) and rising December PCE (+3.0% y/y vs 2.9%). Separately, after the Supreme Court invalidated IEEPA tariffs, President Trump announced a 10% global tariff, r ...

In this article, we will look at the 12 Cheap NASDAQ Stocks To Buy in 2026.​The NASDAQ Composite Index has fallen more than 2.5% year-to-date, driven by stock rotation, a software sell-off, geopolitical tensions, and other factors. To talk about the state of the markets, Tom Lee from Fundstrat appeared on a CNBC Television interview on February 19. Lee expects the S&P 500 will hit 7,300 in the near-term. He noted that the stock market has taken some recent hits from the rotation away from the “Mag Seven”, s ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's hawkish stance is exerting downward pressure on Gold prices, while expectations of potential rate cuts and ongoing trade tensions are providing some support for Gold [1][2][3] Group 1: Federal Reserve's Influence - The January FOMC meeting minutes indicate that the Fed is cautious about cutting rates, suggesting cuts will only occur if US inflation rises significantly [1] - Fed Governor Christopher Waller mentioned that rates could remain unchanged in March if labor data is stable, highlighting the Fed's hawkish attitude impacting Gold [2] - Market expectations remain mixed, with traders pricing in three rate cuts this year, which may limit further declines in Gold prices [2] Group 2: Trade and Geopolitical Factors - Ongoing US tariffs are causing market uncertainty, potentially limiting gains in the US dollar and preventing deeper losses in Gold [3] - Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerns about a possible war in the Middle East, are sustaining high safe-haven demand for Gold, contributing to price stability [4] - Traders are currently cautious and are not ready to declare a full trend reversal in Gold prices [4]

Gold (GC=F) April futures opened at $5,175.30 per troy ounce on Thursday, 1% lower than Wednesday’s closing price of $5,226.20. In early trading, the gold price moved higher than $5,200 before pulling back. The factors behind gold’s latest rally — the Supreme Court’s strike down of President Trump’s tariffs and escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran — remain in play. A third round of talks between U.S. and Iranian officials began on Thursday, with the goal of negotiating the future of Iran’s nuc ...

Gold climbed after a run of three weekly gains, as heightened uncertainty over US trade policy unsettled markets and hurt the dollar. Bullion rose as much as 1.4% toward $5,180 an ounce. President Donald Trump said Saturday he would impose a global tariff of 15% to preserve measures after the Supreme Court ruled against his use of emergency powers to set duties. A weaker dollar made the metal cheaper for many buyers. Most Read from Bloomberg The Supreme Court decision could have implications for the US ...