Brent Crude Surges to $112 on Iraq Force Majeure, Hormuz Tensions
Commodities Rebecca Torres

Brent Crude Surges to $112 on Iraq Force Majeure, Hormuz Tensions

Brent crude oil settled at $112.19 per barrel, its highest level since July 2022, after Iraq invoked force majeure on foreign-operated fields amid escalating regional tensions. The S&P 500 energy sector rose 2.8% as global equities fell on supply shock concerns.

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Markets Slide on Iran Tensions, Oil Surge Dampens Rate Cut Outlook
Markets Daniel Marsh

Markets Slide on Iran Tensions, Oil Surge Dampens Rate Cut Outlook

U.S. equity indices declined Friday as geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East sent oil prices to multi-year highs, stoking inflation concerns and shifting market focus away from anticipated monetary easing.

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Mortgage Rates Surge Past 6.5% as Bond Selloff Rattles Housing Market
Economy Daniel Marsh

Mortgage Rates Surge Past 6.5% as Bond Selloff Rattles Housing Market

Mortgage rates climbed above 6.5% Friday, reaching a multi-month high as Treasury yields surged. The jump pressured housing stocks and caused a sharp drop in mortgage applications.

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Qatar LNG Attack Sparks Global Energy Crisis, EU Weighs Emergency Steps
Commodities Rebecca Torres

Qatar LNG Attack Sparks Global Energy Crisis, EU Weighs Emergency Steps

Europe's benchmark natural gas price remains near a three-year peak after attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG complex, with repairs potentially lasting five years. The EU is preparing emergency interventions as global supply tightens.

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Bitcoin Retreats Under $70K Amid Inflation Fears, ETF Outflows
Crypto Sarah Chen

Bitcoin Retreats Under $70K Amid Inflation Fears, ETF Outflows

Bitcoin declined below the $70,000 threshold on Friday, pressured by broader risk-off sentiment driven by inflation worries and outflows from spot ETFs. Major cryptocurrencies and related equities also traded lower.

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Silver Tumbles on Rate Hike Fears, Dollar Strength
Commodities Rebecca Torres

Silver Tumbles on Rate Hike Fears, Dollar Strength

Silver prices dropped nearly 5% to $69.39 an ounce, heading for a weekly loss amid rising Treasury yields and a stronger dollar. The sell-off dragged down related mining equities.

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FedEx Surges on Raised Forecast, Defies Broader Market Slump
Earnings James Calloway

FedEx Surges on Raised Forecast, Defies Broader Market Slump

FedEx shares advanced Friday as the logistics giant posted stronger-than-expected quarterly results and raised its annual profit guidance, contrasting with a declining broader market.

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Markets Slide on Geopolitical Tensions, Fed Rate Cut Hopes Dim
Markets Daniel Marsh

Markets Slide on Geopolitical Tensions, Fed Rate Cut Hopes Dim

U.S. stocks declined sharply Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 210 points. Surging oil prices and heightened Middle East tensions fueled inflation fears, causing investors to reassess the Federal Reserve's policy timeline.

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Gold Drops 1.8% as Dollar, Yields Surge on Troop Deployment News
Commodities Rebecca Torres

Gold Drops 1.8% as Dollar, Yields Surge on Troop Deployment News

Gold declined 1.8% to $4,566.26 per ounce Friday, heading for a third consecutive weekly drop. The sell-off was driven by a stronger U.S. dollar and rising bond yields following news of additional U.S. troop deployments to the Middle East.

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Ondas Stock Drops Despite Q4 Profit Revision Ahead of Earnings
Earnings James Calloway

Ondas Stock Drops Despite Q4 Profit Revision Ahead of Earnings

Ondas Holdings shares declined 5% to $10.19 after the company updated its Q4 forecast from a loss to a profit, citing a $102 million non-cash accounting gain. Revenue guidance remains unchanged.

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U.S. Weighs Sanctions Waiver to Unlock 140M Barrels of Iranian Oil
Commodities Rebecca Torres

U.S. Weighs Sanctions Waiver to Unlock 140M Barrels of Iranian Oil

The U.S. Treasury is considering a temporary sanctions waiver to release approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently stranded on tankers. This move aims to calm markets following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint.

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Nu Holdings Retreats as Market Weighs UBS Upgrade Against Cost Pressures
Earnings James Calloway

Nu Holdings Retreats as Market Weighs UBS Upgrade Against Cost Pressures

Nu Holdings stock declined 1.3% to $13.98, partially reversing Thursday's advance following a UBS upgrade to Buy with a $17.60 target. The digital bank posted a 50% jump in Q4 net profit but faces scrutiny over costs.

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