Market Update
Global Markets Rattled and Energy Prices Soared After U.S. Attacked Iran
Barry Adams
02 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stock market indexes around the world declined, crude oil surged, and gold jumped as the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.
The unprovoked strikes rattled global sentiment, and crude oil prices jumped as much as 7% and natural gas prices soared more than 20% in Europe amid rising fears of supply disruptions.
Benchmark indexes in Japan, India, and Hong Kong dropped between 1% and 2%, and in Europe, they fell more than 1% as investors avoided riskier assets.
The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend raised stakes too high in the region, and Iran stepped up its attacks on the U.S. military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The fears of prolonged conflict in the Middle East engulfing a wider list of nations kept stock markets on edge and drove oil and gas prices higher around the world.
U.S. Movers
A sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz could ripple through global oil markets and stoke inflationary forces worldwide.
Exxon Mobil gained 3.8% to $158.11, Chevron Corp. advanced 3.5% to $193.40, BP PLC increased 0.4% to $39.03, and TotalEnergies SE edged up 0.9% to $81.06, and ConocoPhillips jumped 2.4% to $119.40.
Global Markets Rattled and Energy Prices Soared After U.S. Attacked Iran
Barry Adams
02 Mar, 2026
New York City
Stock market indexes around the world declined, crude oil surged, and gold jumped as the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend.
The unprovoked strikes rattled global sentiment, and crude oil prices jumped as much as 7% and natural gas prices soared more than 20% in Europe amid rising fears of supply disruptions.
Benchmark indexes in Japan, India, and Hong Kong dropped between 1% and 2%, and in Europe, they fell more than 1% as investors avoided riskier assets.
The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend raised stakes too high in the region, and Iran stepped up its attacks on the U.S. military bases in the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The fears of prolonged conflict in the Middle East engulfing a wider list of nations kept stock markets on edge and drove oil and gas prices higher around the world.
U.S. Movers
A sustained closure of the Strait of Hormuz could ripple through global oil markets and stoke inflationary forces worldwide.
Exxon Mobil gained 3.8% to $158.11, Chevron Corp. advanced 3.5% to $193.40, BP PLC increased 0.4% to $39.03, and TotalEnergies SE edged up 0.9% to $81.06, and ConocoPhillips jumped 2.4% to $119.40.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Faced Selling Pressure After Tensions Flared Up In the Middle East
Li Chen
02 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Financial markets in China and Asia turned volatile after the U.S. and Israel attacked targets in Iran and killed several political leaders.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% and dropped as much as 2.8% in early trading as investors reacted for the first time to the attacks on Iran.
Broader market averages in mainland China rebounded to close higher amid a recovering sentiment, despite Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for oil cargo transit.
Brent crude jumped as much as 14% to $82.35 before settling 7% at $79.46 in Shanghai trading as traders digested the latest developments in the Middle East.
The worries of prolonged global energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the global crude oil and gas supply transits, stoked crude oil prices higher.
Gold gained 2.3% to $5,402.52 an ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions.
In a retaliatory strike, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The global risk-aversion sentiment was further enhanced amid ongoing worries about the potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption spreading to wider segments of the global economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% to 26,092.84, and the CSI 300 increased 0.4% to 4,727.09.
Shipping companies traded higher in Hong Kong after freight rates jumped, reflecting elevated tensions in the Middle East.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 1.7% to HK $15.44; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 1.8% to HK $17.17; and Orient Overseas International advanced 2.5% to HK $153.50.
China and Hong Kong Indexes Faced Selling Pressure After Tensions Flared Up In the Middle East
Li Chen
02 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong
Financial markets in China and Asia turned volatile after the U.S. and Israel attacked targets in Iran and killed several political leaders.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% and dropped as much as 2.8% in early trading as investors reacted for the first time to the attacks on Iran.
Broader market averages in mainland China rebounded to close higher amid a recovering sentiment, despite Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz for oil cargo transit.
Brent crude jumped as much as 14% to $82.35 before settling 7% at $79.46 in Shanghai trading as traders digested the latest developments in the Middle East.
The worries of prolonged global energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the global crude oil and gas supply transits, stoked crude oil prices higher.
Gold gained 2.3% to $5,402.52 an ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions.
In a retaliatory strike, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The global risk-aversion sentiment was further enhanced amid ongoing worries about the potential artificial intelligence-driven disruption spreading to wider segments of the global economy.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 2% to 26,092.84, and the CSI 300 increased 0.4% to 4,727.09.
Shipping companies traded higher in Hong Kong after freight rates jumped, reflecting elevated tensions in the Middle East.
COSCO Shipping Holdings advanced 1.7% to HK $15.44; China Merchants Port Holdings decreased 1.8% to HK $17.17; and Orient Overseas International advanced 2.5% to HK $153.50.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Gains to 3%
Akira Ito
27 Feb, 2026
Tokyo
The weakness in tech stocks dragged down overall market averages amid heightened worries about artificial intelligence buildout and its impact on several industries.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index increased 1.5%, overcoming morning jitters related to potential disruptions from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-linked technologies.
Japan's retail sales in January rose at the fastest pace since June, supported by targeted government incentives to support household spending.
Retail sales in January advanced 1.8% from a year ago, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index advanced 1.5% to 58,850.27.
Semiconductor equipment stocks led decliners in Tokyo trading, extending weekly losses amid ongoing global weakness in tech stocks.
Advantest Corp. declined 4.5% to ¥26,850.0, Tokyo Electron Corp. decreased 2.9% to ¥44,010.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4.5% to ¥75,500.0.
Sony Group Corp. advanced 7.2% to ¥3,643.0 after the company announced its plan to expand its stock repurchase program to as much as 250 million yen from 150 billion yen.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Gains to 3%
Akira Ito
27 Feb, 2026
Tokyo
The weakness in tech stocks dragged down overall market averages amid heightened worries about artificial intelligence buildout and its impact on several industries.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index increased 1.5%, overcoming morning jitters related to potential disruptions from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-linked technologies.
Japan's retail sales in January rose at the fastest pace since June, supported by targeted government incentives to support household spending.
Retail sales in January advanced 1.8% from a year ago, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index advanced 1.5% to 58,850.27.
Semiconductor equipment stocks led decliners in Tokyo trading, extending weekly losses amid ongoing global weakness in tech stocks.
Advantest Corp. declined 4.5% to ¥26,850.0, Tokyo Electron Corp. decreased 2.9% to ¥44,010.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4.5% to ¥75,500.0.
Sony Group Corp. advanced 7.2% to ¥3,643.0 after the company announced its plan to expand its stock repurchase program to as much as 250 million yen from 150 billion yen.
Japan's Indexes Extended Weekly Gains to 3%
Akira Ito
27 Feb, 2026
Tokyo
The weakness in tech stocks dragged down overall market averages amid heightened worries about artificial intelligence buildout and its impact on several industries.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index increased 1.5%, overcoming morning jitters related to potential disruptions from the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence-linked technologies.
Japan's retail sales in January rose at the fastest pace since June, supported by targeted government incentives to support household spending.
Retail sales in January advanced 1.8% from a year ago, rebounding from a 0.9% decline in the previous month, according to the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2%, and the broader Topix Index advanced 1.5% to 58,850.27.
Semiconductor equipment stocks led decliners in Tokyo trading, extending weekly losses amid ongoing global weakness in tech stocks.
Advantest Corp. declined 4.5% to ¥26,850.0, Tokyo Electron Corp. decreased 2.9% to ¥44,010.0, and Disco Corp. fell 4.5% to ¥75,500.0.
Sony Group Corp. advanced 7.2% to ¥3,643.0 after the company announced its plan to expand its stock repurchase program to as much as 250 million yen from 150 billion yen.
China Indexes Turned Lower In February as AI Euphoria Turns to Scare
Li Chen
27 Feb, 2026
Mumbai
Stocks in China and Hong Kong diverged as investors reacted to corporate news ahead of key parliamentary meetings next week.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% amid growing worries about the AI-driven disruptions spreading beyond software, financial, and logistics industries.
China's policymakers are set to debate industrial and economic policies, announce economic growth targets, and prioritize policy objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan ending in 2030.
Chinese leaders have been emphasizing the need for policymakers to focus on slower economic growth, provide additional support for advanced technology, and promote international expansion.
China's annual Two Sessions are scheduled to start on March 4 and are likely to end on March 11.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8% to 26,578.03, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% to 4,693.20.
The persistent fears of AI-related disruptions dragged down the Hang Seng Index by 3.2% in February, the worst monthly decline since October.
Global investors have been in sell-mode amid uncertainties linked to the rapid deployment of artificial infrastructure and potential disruptions to business models in software, logistics, and wealth management.
Metals and mining stocks led gainers for the second week in a row in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Inner Mongolian BaoTou Steel jumped 9% to 3.25 yuan, China Northern Rare Earth Group gained 4.2% to 62.62 yuan, and Beijing TeamSun Technology gained 7.5% to 29.41 yuan.
Semiconductor-related stocks led gainers after a muted reaction to strong earnings from AI leader Nvidia.
Eoptolink Technology decreased 6.7% to 360.00 yuan, Victory Giant fell 3.9% to 303.12 yuan, and Zhongji Innologht dropped 6.2% to 536.54 yuan.
China Indexes Turned Lower In February as AI Euphoria Turns to Scare
Li Chen
27 Feb, 2026
Mumbai
Stocks in China and Hong Kong diverged as investors reacted to corporate news ahead of key parliamentary meetings next week.
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% amid growing worries about the AI-driven disruptions spreading beyond software, financial, and logistics industries.
China's policymakers are set to debate industrial and economic policies, announce economic growth targets, and prioritize policy objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan ending in 2030.
Chinese leaders have been emphasizing the need for policymakers to focus on slower economic growth, provide additional support for advanced technology, and promote international expansion.
China's annual Two Sessions are scheduled to start on March 4 and are likely to end on March 11.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index increased 0.8% to 26,578.03, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 0.7% to 4,693.20.
The persistent fears of AI-related disruptions dragged down the Hang Seng Index by 3.2% in February, the worst monthly decline since October.
Global investors have been in sell-mode amid uncertainties linked to the rapid deployment of artificial infrastructure and potential disruptions to business models in software, logistics, and wealth management.
Metals and mining stocks led gainers for the second week in a row in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Inner Mongolian BaoTou Steel jumped 9% to 3.25 yuan, China Northern Rare Earth Group gained 4.2% to 62.62 yuan, and Beijing TeamSun Technology gained 7.5% to 29.41 yuan.
Semiconductor-related stocks led gainers after a muted reaction to strong earnings from AI leader Nvidia.
Eoptolink Technology decreased 6.7% to 360.00 yuan, Victory Giant fell 3.9% to 303.12 yuan, and Zhongji Innologht dropped 6.2% to 536.54 yuan.
Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading
Barry Adams
26 Feb, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.
NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings.
Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.
Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low.
The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses.
U.S. Movers
Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%.
Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.
Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.
Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading
Barry Adams
26 Feb, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.
NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings.
Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.
Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low.
The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses.
U.S. Movers
Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%.
Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.
Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.
Nvidia and Salesforce Earnings Dominated Wall Street Trading Sentiment
Barry Adams
26 Feb, 2026
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street lacked momentum as investors digested earnings from key technology companies.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors reacted to quarterly results from Nvidia and Salesforce.
NVIDIA, the chipmaking company leading the artificial intelligence investments, posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings.
Salesforce struggled to advance despite the customer service software maker reporting better-than-expected quarterly results.
However, a weaker-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook weighed on the stock.
Initial jobless claims at the end of last week rose by 4,000 to 212,000, according to the latest update from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Continuing claims, which lag by one week, decreased 31,000 to 1.833 million, hovering near a 10-month low.
The latest jobs report confirmed the resilient labor market, reflecting low hiring and low firing by businesses.
U.S. Movers
Nvidia Corp. increased 0.7% to $197.03 after the advanced chipmaker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
The advanced chipmaker's revenue rose 73% to $68.1 billion from $39.3 billion, net income advanced 94% to $42.9 billion from $22.1 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.76 from $0.89 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter revenue of $78 billion, which excludes any potential data center compute revenue in China, and gross margins at 74.9%.
Snowflake Inc. increased 0.4% to $169.88 after the software company reported quarterly results and estimated product revenue in the current quarter slightly ahead of estimates.
Trade Desk dropped 16.5% to $21.02 after the advertising platform operator estimated weaker-than-expected adjusted earnings of $195 million in the fiscal first quarter.
China Markets Erased Early Gains On Thursday, HK Exchanges Reported Record Annual Profit
Li Chen
26 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong
Benchmark indexes in mainland China and Hong Kong lost early gains amid persistent worries surrounding artificial infrastructure spending.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index eased 0.2% amid weakening sentiment.
Nvidia, the leading artificial intelligence chip developer, reported sharply higher-than-expected revenue and earnings in the quarter ending in January.
Revenue in the quarter jumped 73% to $68.1 billion, supporting the case that the elevated levels of AI infrastructure spending can be sustained for a while.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8% to 26,550.41, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.2% to 4,728.45.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing increased 0.1% to HK $412.60, and the company reported record annual profit for the second year in a row in 2025.
Net income in 2025 jumped 36% to a record high of HK $17.8 billion from HK $13 billion a year ago, and earnings per share advanced to HK $14.05.
The exchange operator announced an interim dividend per share of HK $6.52, increasing the total annual dividend to HK $12.52 compared to HK $9.52 a year ago.
The company maintained a payout ratio of 90% of earnings.
China Markets Erased Early Gains On Thursday, HK Exchanges Reported Record
Li Chen
26 Feb, 2026
Hong Kong
Benchmark indexes in mainland China and Hong Kong lost early gains amid persistent worries surrounding artificial infrastructure spending.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index eased 0.2% amid weakening sentiment.
Nvidia, the leading artificial intelligence chip developer, reported sharply higher-than-expected revenue and earnings in the quarter ending in January.
Revenue in the quarter jumped 73% to $68.1 billion, supporting the case that the elevated levels of AI infrastructure spending can be sustained for a while.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 0.8% to 26,550.41, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 0.2% to 4,728.45.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing increased 0.1% to HK $412.60, and the company reported record annual profit for the second year in a row in 2025.
Net income in 2025 jumped 36% to a record high of HK $17.8 billion from HK $13 billion a year ago, and earnings per share advanced to HK $14.05.
The exchange operator announced an interim dividend per share of HK $6.52, increasing the total annual dividend to HK $12.52 compared to HK $9.52 a year ago.
The company maintained a payout ratio of 90% of earnings.
U.S. Indexes Meandered Amid Improving Sentiment Ahead of Nvidia Earnings
Barry Adams
25 Feb, 2026
New York City
Wall Street indexes extended gains for the second consecutive week amid receding fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruption across several industries.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged higher by 0.3% as investors reviewed the sell-off in tech stocks over the last three weeks.
Stocks rebounded this week as investors overlooked unresolved trade policy issues and AI-related disruption fears dissipated. Bargain hunters stepped up buying the recently beaten-down software stocks.
Despite a two-day rebound, in the year so far as of Tuesday's close, Service Now fell 33%, Salesforce decreased 30%, Oracle declined 35%, FactSet Research plunged 31%, and CoStar Group dropped 27%.
U.S. Movers
Workday Inc. dropped 9.2% to $117.69 after the workplace platform operator reported slightly lower-than-expected revenue in its latest quarter.
Cava Group soared 11% to $75.40 after the Mediterranean restaurant chain operator reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and fiscal 2026 outlook.
Lowe's Companies decreased 3.6% to $268.50 after the company's current quarter outlook was weaker than expected.
The retailer estimated current fiscal year revenue to range between $92 billion and $94 billion, and diluted earnings per share to range between $12.25 and $12.75.
CoStar Group dropped 4% to $47.20 after the real estate marketplace operator's first-quarter guidance fell short of market expectations.