Core Viewpoint - President Trump dismissed media reports suggesting that General Daniel Caine opposes military action against Iran, asserting that any conflict would be quickly won if ordered [1][2]. Group 1: Military Stance and Leadership - Trump emphasized that military leaders provide advice, but the ultimate decision on military action rests with the president [3]. - He referred to a military operation called "Midnight Hammer," claiming it successfully targeted Iranian nuclear facilities [3][4]. - Caine, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly warned of risks associated with a potential U.S. operation against Iran, including depleted munitions and possible U.S. casualties [4]. Group 2: Diplomatic Efforts and Consequences - Trump set a 10 to 15-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear deal, warning of consequences if negotiations fail [5][6]. - Iran rejected the notion of limited military strikes, asserting its right to self-defense and threatening retaliation against U.S. bases [6][7]. - Diplomatic talks showed limited progress, with both sides remaining divided on key issues, and Iran indicated it would target U.S. assets if attacked [7][8]. Group 3: Regional Implications - The escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran have increased geopolitical uncertainty and the risk of wider instability in the region [8].

🚨BREAKING: GOLD SURPASSES $5,000/OZ AS U.S.-IRAN TENSIONS ESCALATEPrecious metals have surged to record levels amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, triggering significant safe-haven flows.- Gold breaches $5,000 per ounce, establishing a new all-time high as investors seek refuge from heightened Middle East conflict risk and geopolitical uncertainty- Silver climbs above $78 per ounce, mirroring gold's upward trajectory, supported by both safe-haven demand and underlying i ...

The share markets in the country opened on a cautious note on Tuesday amid fresh tensions escalating between the United States and Iran, as the two nations began indirect nuclear talks in Geneva.Rising geopolitical uncertainty and its impact on global markets weighed on investor sentiment, leading to declines in benchmark indices during the opening session.The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,637.95, declining by 44.80 points or 0.17 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 83,197.67, falling by 79.48 points or ...

Core Viewpoint - Enbridge reported an increase in earnings for the latest quarter, driven by strong demand despite challenges from tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty [1] Group 1: Earnings Performance - The company experienced a lift in earnings for the latest quarter [1] - Strong demand contributed significantly to the earnings growth [1] Group 2: Market Environment - The earnings increase occurred against a backdrop of tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty [1]

Group 1 - Oil prices gained about 2% on Wednesday, with Brent crude oil futures up $1.39, or 2.02%, at $70.19 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.34, or nearly 2.1%, to $65.30 [1] - Ongoing tensions in the Middle East continue to support prices, although there has been no supply disruption so far [2] - A slightly weaker dollar is helping prices higher, as a stronger U.S. currency negatively impacts demand for dollar-denominated crude from foreign buyers [3] Group 2 - Crude draws from the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) refining and storage hub and from Fujairah indicate a tight market, supporting prices [4] - OPEC's monthly report left supply-demand expectations largely unchanged but noted a projected drop in global oil demand for the wider group's crude by 400,000 barrels per day in the second quarter compared to the first [4] - U.S. crude inventories rose by 13.4 million barrels in the week ended February 6, according to American Petroleum Institute figures [6]

Core Viewpoint - Oil prices remained stable as the market awaited further direction amid ongoing U.S.–Iran talks, with geopolitical uncertainty providing support for prices [1] Group 1 - The oil market is currently influenced by geopolitical factors, particularly the discussions between the U.S. and Iran [1] - Prices are being underpinned by the lingering uncertainty in the geopolitical landscape [1]

Core Viewpoint - Shopify's stock has faced significant pressure ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings release, declining approximately 31% in the past month due to valuation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty [1] Group 1: Business Performance - Despite the stock selloff, Shopify's underlying business remains strong, with a 32% growth in gross merchandise volume (GMV) and revenue in the third quarter, alongside a free cash flow margin of 18% [2] - Revenue growth has been consistent throughout the year, with increases of 27% in Q1, 31% in Q2, and 32% in Q3, while free cash flow margins improved from 15% in Q1 to 18% in Q3 [3] Group 2: Valuation and Technical Indicators - The recent decline in Shopify's stock has alleviated some valuation concerns, with the stock's 14-day Relative Strength Index at 22.6, indicating potential oversold conditions [4] - Options traders anticipate a post-earnings move of about 11.1%, higher than the average move of 8.6% observed in the past four quarters [5] Group 3: Q4 Outlook - Shopify is expected to deliver strong quarterly results, but growth rates may moderate due to tougher year-over-year comparisons, with management guiding for Q4 revenue growth in the mid-to-high 20% range [7]

Core Viewpoint - The recommendation for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is to maintain a "Hold" position due to geopolitical uncertainty and significant government influence in the market [1] Summary by Relevant Categories Investment Recommendation - A "Hold" recommendation is suggested for HDV to ensure quality stocks are retained in the portfolio during uncertain times [1] Market Conditions - The current market is characterized by geopolitical uncertainty and notable government influence, which impacts investment strategies [1]

Core Insights - Gold and silver prices experienced significant declines as investors took profits following President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve, easing concerns about potential presidential influence over the central bank [2][5][6] Price Movements - Spot gold fell approximately 10% to around $4,850 per troy ounce after reaching a record high of about $5,600 [3] - Silver prices dropped 28% to trade below $84 an ounce after hitting an all-time high above $120 [3] - Other precious metals also saw declines, with palladium prices down about 15% and platinum slumping 20% after substantial increases over the past year [9] Market Context - Over the past year, gold prices surged nearly 90% and silver prices increased about 250%, driven by geopolitical and economic uncertainties, as well as a weaker U.S. dollar [4][5] - The U.S. dollar index, which had reached a four-year low, rose about 0.7% as the dollar's weakness over the past year has increased foreign demand for metals priced in dollars [8] Investor Sentiment - The nomination of Kevin Warsh, viewed as an establishment-friendly candidate, reassured investors about the Federal Reserve's independence, which had been a concern under Trump's previous pressure for aggressive interest rate cuts [6] - Wall Street's relief was reflected in the rise of the 10-year Treasury yield to 4.25%, indicating expectations for a more balanced interest rate policy under Warsh [7]

Lockheed Martin forecast 2026 profit and revenue above Wall Street estimates on Thursday, anticipating continued demand for its fighter jets and weapons amid rising geopolitical uncertainty. ...