Geopolitical and Energy Sector Developments - U.S. aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln" is positioned near the Gulf of Aden, highlighting ongoing regional tensions [3] - Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) plans to invite international oil companies to assist Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) in resource development, targeting an increase to four million barrels of oil per day by 2035 [4] Corporate News: Buybacks and Regulatory Hurdles - Fuji Media Holdings Inc. has initiated a 235 billion yen share buyback program amid reports of activist investors divesting their shares [5] - AstraZeneca faced a setback as the FDA rejected its initial application for a lupus injection, potentially impacting its drug pipeline and market expectations [6] Commodity Market Dynamics - Spot silver prices surged over 9% to reach $86.58 per ounce, indicating significant activity in the precious metals market [7] - The Shanghai Gold Exchange announced increased margin ratios and price limits for some gold contracts to manage volatility in the precious metals market [8] European Economic Indicators - France's December budget balance improved to -124.7 billion EUR from -155.4 billion EUR, indicating a reduction in the fiscal deficit [9][10] - Preliminary figures for France's January Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a deceleration to 0.3%, missing estimates [10]

Core Insights - The quantum computing sector experienced significant volatility in January 2026, with major players like IonQ, Rigetti Computing, and D-Wave Quantum facing substantial sell-offs due to broader tech market jitters and risk-off sentiment [1][4][5] Market Performance - In January, IonQ's stock declined by 10.9%, while Rigetti and D-Wave saw larger drops of 18% and 18.9%, respectively [2][8] Market Drivers - The sell-off was primarily driven by uncertainty surrounding interest rates, as central banks indicated that rate cuts would be slower and more dependent on economic data, leading to reduced attractiveness of long-duration assets [4][5] - Geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflicts and trade pressures, raised concerns about supply chains and capital spending, prompting investors to shift towards defensive sectors [5] February Outlook - For February 2026, selective stabilization is anticipated rather than a broad-based rebound, with stock-specific developments becoming increasingly important [6] - IonQ's announcement of a $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater provided a temporary boost in sentiment, with analysts projecting a 74.61% increase in price target from its last closing price of $43.24 [7][8] - D-Wave reported $30 million in contracts and growing traction for its Advantage2 system, which helped stabilize its shares, with an average price target increase of 73.8% from its last closing price of $23.22 [9] - Rigetti, however, lacks near-term catalysts, making it more vulnerable to macro sentiment, with an average price target increase of 103% from its last closing price of $19.85 [10] Valuation Sensitivity - Valuations for quantum pure plays remain highly sensitive to interest-rate expectations and overall risk appetite, limiting upside potential unless macro conditions improve significantly [15]

Core Viewpoint - Shares of oil marketing companies (OMCs) experienced a surge, while shares of oil explorers saw a decline, attributed to improved investor sentiment following a reduction in geopolitical tensions between the US and OPEC [1] Group 1: Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) - The stock prices of oil marketing companies rose significantly on Monday, indicating a positive shift in market sentiment [1] - The increase in OMC shares reflects investor confidence amid easing geopolitical tensions [1] Group 2: Oil Explorers - In contrast, shares of oil explorers fell, suggesting a negative reaction from investors in this sector [1] - The decline in oil explorer stocks may be linked to the same geopolitical factors that benefited OMCs [1]

Group 1 - The article highlights the significant rise in precious metals due to increasing geopolitical tensions, a continuous decline of the U.S. dollar, inflation fears, rising national debt, and tariffs creating market uncertainty [1]

Key TakeawaysGeopolitical tensions are escalating as Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared that Iran would treat European Union armies as "terrorist groups" in retaliation for the EU's designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.Bitcoin (BTC) has plunged below $80,000, trading around $78,500 after a 6.6% drop in 24 hours, signaling a new crisis of confidence in the cryptocurrency market.China's new home prices rose by 0.18% in January, indi ...

Group 1 - Gold has regained popularity as an investment, with significant growth in recent years, particularly through online purchasing methods like tokenized gold and stablecoins [1][3] - Stablecoins are digital tokens backed by a currency or commodity, designed to minimize volatility, and they represent digital ownership of physical assets [2] - Tokenized gold trading is projected to reach $178 billion by 2025, surpassing all U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) except for SPDR Gold Shares, which has $165 billion in assets under management [4] Group 2 - The rise in gold prices is attributed to geopolitical tensions, inflation, and increasing U.S. debt, prompting investors to seek gold as a safe haven [5][6] - U.S. debt has exceeded $38 trillion, with a fiscal deficit of nearly $1.8 trillion reported for fiscal year 2025, raising concerns about the U.S. fiscal situation [6] - Central banks globally are reducing their purchases of U.S. Treasuries, indicating a potential loss of confidence in the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency [7]

>> THIS IS THE ASIA TRADE. I AM SHERY AHN IN TOKYO. >> THIS IS THE ASIAN TRADE.>> I AM AVRIL HONG IN SINGAPORE. I'M SHERY AHN IN TOKYO. THE TOP STORIES THIS HOUR.>> I'M AVRIL HONG IN TOKYO. >> THERE WAS BROAD SUPPORT ON THE COMMITTEE FOR HOLDING TODAY. APPLE SHARES GAINING AFTER THE BELL'S HOLIDAY SEASON BEATS BROAD, I WOULD SAY, INCLUDING -- VOTERS.HER COURSE, SOME PEOPLE DID NOT WERE EXPECTATIONS -- MEETS EXPECTATIONS. A CAUTIOUS OPEN AHEAD FOR ASIA WANT TO CUT AND DISSENTED BUT THE COMMITTEE PRETTY BROAD ...

Welcome to ETF Edge, your go-to place for all things exchange traded funds. I'm your host, Dominic Chu. Geopolitical tensions, domestic headlines, currency flows, and the Fed have reignited that whole US versus international investing debate.So joining me now are John Mayer, the chief ETF strategist over at JP Morgan, alongside Tim Seymour, the chief investment officer at Seymour Asset Management. He's also a CNBC contributor. Uh gentlemen, thank you both for being here with us today for ETF Edge.Uh perhaps ...

🚨JUST IN: Latest data shows US spot $BTC ETFs recorded $19.64M in net outflows on January 28, 2026, amid ongoing market caution and a broader crypto dip.Analysts point to several factors driving these outflows: a hawkish Federal Reserve holding rates steady at 3.5-3.75% without signaling cuts.Additional escalating geopolitical tensions (e.g., U.S. Iran warnings and Middle East instability), and a lack of fresh institutional capital as investors rotate toward traditional safe havens like gold, which surged 1 ...

JOUMANNA: OUR TOP STORIES THIS MORNING -- THE FED HOLDS RATES WITH JEROME POWELL, POINTING TO AN IMPROVED U.S. OUTLOOK AS THE LABOR MARKET STUDIES. POWELL ALSO ADVISED HIS SUCCESSOR TO STAY OUT OF ELECTED POLITICS. GOLD, COPPER, AND SILVER HIT ALL-TIME HIGHS AS A WEAKER DOLLAR AND RISING GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS PROVIDE FRESH MOMENTUM.AND THE WORLD'S LARGEST TECH FIRMS ARE RAMPING UP SPENDING ON AI. MET'S PLANS BOOSTING THE LIKES OF SAMSUNG AND SK HYNIX. IT'S JUST GONE 9:00 A.M. ACROSS THE EMIRATES. SO MUCH TO ...