The Dow Jones Index gained 1232 points or 2.52 percent on Friday to close at 50141 points. Gains were led by Nvidia (8.02%), Caterpillar (7.11%) and 3M (4.53%).

The Dow Jones Index Closes 2.52% Higher

The Ibovespa closed 0.5% higher at 182,950 on Friday, recovering earlier losses and extending recent gains as strength in select cyclicals and domestic stocks offset lingering caution around banks. Financials remained a drag, with Bradesco slipping again after its cautious 2026 guidance continued to outweigh solid recent results, while Banco do Brasil and Santander Brasil also eased. In contrast, Itaúsa jumped nearly 3% and B3 surged over 4.5%, providing support to the index. Petrobras edged lower alongside choppy oil prices ahead of US Iran talks in Oman, while Vale also declined despite recent optimism from brokerage upgrades. Elsewhere, Eletrobras gained over 1% and Embraer added modestly. On the macro front, the Finance Ministry slightly trimmed its 2026 growth forecast while raising its inflation projection, keeping the policy backdrop mixed even as the index finished the session up about 0.5%.

Ibovespa Rebounds at Week's End

The S&P TSX Composite climbed 1.5% to close above 32,471 on Friday, rebounding from the prior session’s selloff and securing solid weekly gains of 1.7% as strength in mining and technology stocks outweighed lingering macro caution. Support came from January labour data showing the unemployment rate unexpectedly falling to 6.5%, which eased near term growth concerns even as a modest drop in net employment tempered expectations of a sharply more hawkish Bank of Canada. Technology shares led the advance, with Open Text surging 9.7% after strong earnings, Celestica rising 4.7%, and Shopify firming alongside a rebound in major US tech names. Resource stocks also outperformed, with Agnico Eagle, Barrick, Wheaton Precious Metals, and Franco Nevada gaining between 2.7% and 3.7% as gold prices surged. Energy shares were more mixed as oil prices remained volatile ahead of US Iran talks in Oman.

TSX Secures Strong Weekly Gains

The Dow closed at a record high on Friday, surging 2.5% as US equities staged a broad based snapback after a bruising tech led selloff earlier in the week, with dip buying returning as fears around near term AI disruption and forced deleveraging eased. The S&P 500 jumped 1.9% and the Nasdaq rose 2.1%, led by a sharp rebound in semiconductors, with Nvidia, Broadcom, and AMD surging over 7% each as investors selectively rebuilt exposure after steep declines. Cyclicals outperformed, with Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs gaining 7.1% and 4.3%, reinforcing a rotation toward value and economically sensitive sectors. Despite Friday’s surge, the Nasdaq still ended the week down 1.9%, reflecting lingering caution around elevated valuations, heavy AI capex commitments, and earnings execution risk, with Amazon extending losses by 5.6% after reaffirming plans for $200 billion in AI investment. The S&P 500 finished the week 0.1% lower, while the Dow advanced 2.6%.

Dow Jones Sets Fresh Historic High

IPC increased to an all-time high of 70483.00 Index Points. Over the past 4 weeks, IPC Mexico gained 8.61%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 33.34%.

Stocks in Mexico Hit All-time High

Frankfurt's DAX 40 managed to close about 0.9% firmer at 24,720 on Friday, halting a three-day losing streak and outperforming its peers. Traders assessed a fresh batch of corporate earnings from both sides of the Atlantic, with nervousness around AI-massive spending easing somewhat. Siemens Energy outperformed with a gain of 4.1%, boosted by better-than-expected results and strong 2026 guidance from US peer Bloom Energy.

DAX Finishes on Higher Note

European stocks closed firmly higher on Friday, bouncing from the sharp declines in the previous session to halt the pressure over AI-related disruptions and exaggerated valuations among software stocks. The Eurozone's STOXX 50 gained 1.2% to 5,998 and the pan-European STOXX 600 added 0.9% to 617. ASML surged nearly 4% to pare the aggressive losses from the week, tracking the rebound for tech shares. In the meantime, Vinci soared nearly 10% after beating their earnings forecasts in the fourth quarter. Elsewhere, Rheinmetall jumped 2% as analysts noticed a changeup in their interpretation of their guidance accounting from the previous session, while Siemens and Siemens Energy also rebounded from plunges this week. On the other hand, Stellantis plunged nearly 20% after warning it expects to take a €22 billion hit from restructuring its business to accelerate the rollout of electric and hybrid vehicles.

European Stocks End Week on Positive Note

The FTSE MIB Index rose 33 points or 0.07 percent on Friday to close at 45853 points. Leading the gains are Prysmian (3.19%), Buzzi Unicem (2.69%) and Finecobank (2.28%). Top losers were Stellantis N.V. (-25.17%), Recordati (-1.48%) and MFE-MediaForEurope (-1.44%).

The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.07% Higher

The DAX Index gained 233 points or 0.95 percent on Friday to close at 24724 points. Gains were led by Siemens Energy (4.23%), HeidelbergCement (2.35%) and Siemens (2.29%). Biggest losers were Siemens Healthineers (-3.27%), Zalando (-2.20%) and BASF (-1.87%).

The DAX Index Closes 0.95% Higher

The FTSE MIB edged up 0.1% to close at 45,877 on Friday, with gains across most sectors partly offset by a sharp selloff in Stellantis. The automaker plunged 25.2% after unveiling a sweeping market repositioning plan, flagging preliminary losses of €19–21 billion in the second half of 2025 and suspending this year’s dividend, sending shares to their lowest level since June 2020. Financials supported the index, with UniCredit up 1.3% and Intesa Sanpaolo rising 1.1%. BPER jumped 2.3% after posting revenues 32% above estimates. Energy stocks also advanced, with Eni up 2% on higher oil prices, lifting Prysmian (+3.6%) and Tenaris (+1.4%).

FTSE MIB Inches Down as Stellantis Plunges

The CAC 40 Index went up by 43 points or 0.52 percent on Friday to close at 8281 points. The rise was led by Vinci (9.83%), ArcelorMittal (4.75%) and Bouygues (3.05%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Stellantis NV (-25.24%), Danone (-3.82%) and Renault (-3.04%).

The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.52% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index rose 57 points or 0.55 percent on Friday to close at 10366 points. Leading the gains are Burberry (5.21%), International Airlines Group (4.02%) and Fresnillo (3.04%). Top losers were Experian (-4.18%), Relx (-3.96%) and The Sage Group (-2.80%).

The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.55% Higher

The CAC 40 rose 0.4% to close at 8,274 on Friday, closing the week 2% higher as investors weighed a fresh round of corporate news and earnings. Vinci surged 9.9% to a five month high after reporting stronger than expected full year results, while Schneider Electric (1.8%), Safran (1.8%), and Airbus (0.9%) also advanced, supported by resilient order momentum. Energy stocks added to gains, with TotalEnergies up 1% alongside firmer oil prices, while miners benefited from a rebound in metals. However, Stellantis plunged 25% to its lowest level since 2020 after flagging a €22 billion restructuring charge tied to its electric and hybrid transition and confirming the sale of its 49% stake in NextStar Energy to LG Energy Solution, weighing heavily on the index. Financials were mixed, with Société Générale falling 2.2% after its latest results failed to impress, while BNP Paribas gained 1.3%.

CAC 40 Closes the 2% HIgher

London’s FTSE 100 extended its rally on Friday, closing at 10,370 and securing a second straight weekly gain, driven by strength in banks and oil majors, supported by a broader upswing in commodities, including precious and base metals, alongside rising crude prices. Sentiment was further boosted by the Bank of England’s dovish decision to hold rates a day earlier. The vote proved far closer than expected, reinforcing expectations that policymakers may move more quickly toward rate cuts. Markets are now pricing in nearly a 70% chance of a cut as early as the March meeting. In contrast, data and software stocks lagged the broader market, weighed down by growing concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt established business models. RELX fell 4.6%, while Experian slid 3.1%. Looking ahead to next week, investor attention will turn to a busy earnings calendar, with updates due from several heavyweight names including Barclays, NatWest, Unilever, BAT, and RELX.

FTSE 100 Climbs on Banks, Oil, and Rate-Cut Hopes

The Dow Jones Index is picking up 752 points or 1.54 percent on Friday. Gains are led by Nvidia (4.99%), Caterpillar (3.93%) and JPMorgan (3.75%).

The Dow Jones Index Opens 1.54% Higher

The S&P TSX Composite climbed over 1% to above the 32,300 level on Friday, rebounding from a sharp selloff in the prior session and setting the Toronto exchange for weekly gains as gains in technology and mining shares offset broader caution. Support came from January labour data showing the unemployment rate unexpectedly falling to 6.5%, which helped lift sentiment even as an unforeseen drop in net employment tempered the impact of markets reassessing a more hawkish Bank of Canada outlook. Technology stocks led the advance, with Open Text surging more than 6.5% after solid quarterly results, Celestica rising over 6%, and heavyweight Shopify gaining close to 3% alongside a recovery in major US tech names. In the resources space, Agnico Eagle, Barrick, Wheaton Precious Metals, and Franco Nevada advanced between 2.6% and 3.5% as gold prices jumped nearly 3%. Meanwhile, oil prices fluctuated ahead of US Iran talks in Oman, keeping energy shares volatile.

TSX Rebounds, Set For Weekly Gains

US equities rebounded on Friday, recovering from sharp losses in the previous session, as easing concerns over AI-driven disruption lifted technology shares. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6%, the Nasdaq advanced 0.4%, and the Dow Jones surged 450 points. Gains in industrials, financials, real estate, and healthcare also supported the broader market, more than offsetting weakness in the consumer discretionary sector. Nvidia rose 3.1%, Broadcom gained 3.5%, and AMD jumped 5.1%. Mega-cap stocks were mostly higher, with Apple up 1.4%, Microsoft gaining 1.5%, Tesla rising 2.1%, JPMorgan climbing 3.2%, Oracle advancing 4.1%, and Bank of America adding 1.6%. In contrast, Amazon slid nearly 9% after the company announced plans to invest $200 billion in AI infrastructure this year, a pace of spending that outstripped growth in its cloud revenue. Meta also traded lower, down 0.7%. For the first week of February, the S&P is down about 2%, the Nasdaq has fallen roughly 4%, while the Dow is little changed.

US Stocks Recover

The Ibovespa edged lower to trade below 182,000 on Friday, weighed by pessimistic results from Bradesco. The bank lost more than 4% after its cautious 2026 outlook overshadowed solid 4Q25 results. Itaú slipped 0.3%, while Banco do Brasil fell over 1%. On the upside, Petrobras gained 0.6% as oil prices edged higher. Vale rose nearly 1% after Itaú BBA raised its ADR price target to US$19 from US$14 earlier in the week, reiterating a buy rating. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Finance Ministry slightly cut its 2026 growth forecast while lifting its inflation projection.

Ibovespa Falls on Bradesco Outlook

Futures tracking Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index rose on Friday, pointing to a positive open after a sharp selloff in the previous session, on gains for miners and optimistic unemployment. The domestic unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 6.5% in January, reflecting a stronger labor market, but easing support for equities on the stronger argument for hawks in the BoC. Mining stocks found support with gold climbing nearly 3%. Meanwhile, oil prices swung between gains and losses ahead of US–Iran talks in Oman, keeping energy shares volatile. On the corporate front, Saputo reported third-quarter revenue after Thursday’s close that missed expectations, while ARC Resources posted stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue. Capstone Copper said full operations have resumed at Chile’s Mantoverde mine following the end of a labor strike.

TSX Futures Rise as Gold Rebounds

London’s FTSE 100 edged up to around 10,330 points on Friday, reversing earlier losses and on track to record a second consecutive weekly gain, supported by signals from the Bank of England on Thursday that interest rates could be lowered if the recent decline in inflation proves sustained. Heavyweight bank stocks led the advance, with shares in Barclays, NatWest Group and Lloyds rising between 1.1% and 1.9%. Mining stocks also rebounded as precious metal prices climbed amid heightened US–Iran tensions, and following reports that merger talks between Rio Tinto and Glencore had collapsed. By contrast, data and software stocks underperformed amid growing concerns that AI could disrupt their business models. RELX slid more than 4% and Experian dropped 2.9%. Domestic political uncertainty added to caution after emails revealed the extent of UK ambassador Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, posing a fresh challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.

FTSE 100 Recovers as Banks and Miners Lift Index

Frankfurt’s DAX 40 staged a mid-session rebound on Friday, rising 0.5% to surpass 24,600 after a weak start. Global concerns over AI-driven disruption appeared to ease, with European indexes also supported by their comparatively lower exposure to the tech sector. Meanwhile, investors continued to watch the earnings season closely.

DAX Attempts Recovery

European equities rebounded on Friday, with the STOXX 50 climbing 0.7% and the STOXX 600 rising 0.4%, after a lacklustre start to the session. The recovery came as concerns over AI-related disruption and lofty valuations appeared to ease, while investors continued to assess a fresh round of corporate updates. Gains were led by industrial and technology names, with ASML Holding up 1.3%, Siemens adding 1.8%, and Rheinmetall surging 4.3%. Novo Nordisk jumped more than 5% after the US FDA threatened action against illegal copycat drugs. Vinci soared over 8% after reporting higher revenues while Orsted advanced 1.7% following a 9.8% annual increase in revenues. On the downside, Stellantis plunged 27% after warning it expects to take a €22 billion hit from restructuring its business to accelerate the rollout of electric and hybrid vehicles. Societe Generale fell 3.8% after its results disappointed. For the week so far, the STOXX 50 is down 0.3%, while the broader STOXX 600 has edged up 0.1%.

European Stocks Rise

India's BSE Sensex reversed early losses to close about 0.3% up at 83,580 on Friday, in a late recovery supported by selective buying in FMCG and private banking stocks, while the heavyweight IT sector continued to lag. Sentiment steadied following a volatile week, buoyed by a surprise US-India trade agreement and the RBI’s decision to keep its policy rate unchanged. The RBI’s policy announcement was broadly in line with expectations, maintaining a “neutral” stance, while reiterating a constructive growth outlook.
Among individual stocks, ITC, Kotak Bank, HUL, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, and Bajaj Finserv were the top performers. Conversely, TCS, Tech Mahindra, Adani Ports, Eternal, and Asian Paints posted the biggest losses.

Sensex Settles in the Green

US equity futures rebounded on Friday after steep losses in the previous session, as concerns over AI-driven disruption eased. S&P 500 futures rose 0.6%, Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.8%, and Dow Jones futures gained nearly 180 points, following declines of more than 1% on Thursday. AI-linked stocks led the recovery in premarket trading, with Nvidia up 3.4%, Broadcom gaining 3.2%, AMD rising 3.9%, and Micron Technology climbing 4%. Crypto-related stocks also traded higher as digital assets recovered, with Coinbase jumping 6.1%. Meta added 0.2%, Tesla rose 2.2%, and Qualcomm gained 0.7%. In contrast, Amazon shares slid nearly 8% in premarket trading after the company announced plans to invest $200 billion in AI infrastructure this year, a pace of spending that outstripped growth in its cloud revenue. Apple (-0.7%) and Alphabet (-0.3%) also traded lower. For the first week of February, the S&P 500 is down about 2%, the Nasdaq has fallen roughly 4%, while the Dow Jones is little changed.

US Stocks Set to Rebound

The SENSEX Index went up by 266 points or 0.32 percent on Friday to close at 83580 points. The rise was led by ITC (5.21%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (3.33%) and Hindustan Unilever (2.77%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Tech Mahindra (-1.83%), Tata Consultancy (-1.79%) and Tata Motors (-1.38%).

The SENSEX Index Closes 0.32% Higher

The FTSE MIB dropped 0.8% to around 45,400 in early trading on Friday, extending a 1.8% decline from the previous session and tracking broader European markets. The index was weighed down by auto stocks, led by Stellantis, which tumbled more than 19% after announcing a €22 billion charge to restructure its business and accelerate its electric and hybrid vehicle rollout. Peer Ferrari also fell over 2%. Other notable laggards included tech firm STMicroelectronics (-2.3%), as investors remained cautious on software and AI-driven names, while Banco BPM and Moncler dropped more than 2%. On the upside, Eni rose 1%, reflecting a rebound in oil prices, and some financials advanced, including Bper Banca (+1.3%), FinecoBank (+1.5%), and Unipol Gruppo (+2%). For the week, the benchmark index is set for a muted performance.

FTSE MIB Extends Losses

The CAC 40 fell 0.5% to 8,195 on Friday, extending losses from the previous session as investors weighed a fresh round of corporate news and earnings. Stellantis NV plunged 20% to its lowest level since May 2020 and was halted after it flagged an anticipated €22 billion charge related to restructuring efforts focused on expanding its electric and hybrid lineup. The firm also announced that LG Energy Solution will acquire full ownership of NextStar Energy, with Stellantis selling its 49% stake. Moreover, Societe Generale fell 3.2% after Q4 results underwhelmed investors’ expectations. On a positive note, Vinci surged 6.5% to a more than five-month high after reporting full-year results that exceeded market expectations. Meanwhile, France's trade gap widened to €4.8 billion in December 2025 from a revised €4.0 billion in November, as imports rose 3% mom to €57.9 billion and exports grew 1.8% to €53.1 billion. Despite Friday’s decline, the CAC 40 remains on track to post a weekly gain.

French Stocks Extend Fall, Still Poised for Weekly Gains

Frankfurt’s DAX 40 edged down 0.3% to below 24,400 on Friday, heading for a fourth consecutive day of losses, reflecting subdued sentiment across European markets amid mixed corporate earnings and lingering concerns over AI-related risks. On the data front, Germany’s industrial production contracted more sharply than anticipated in December, snapping a three-month run of growth. Sector-wise, healthcare and consumer cyclicals were the hardest hit. Siemens Healthineers led losses, down 4.2%, followed by Zalando (-3.3%), Volkswagen (-2.3%) and SAP (-2%).

DAX Down for 4th Day

London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.3% to around 10,280 points on Friday, extending the previous session’s decline, with data and software stocks leading the losses amid growing concerns that AI could disrupt their business models. Data analytics group RELX slid more than 4%, while LSEG dropped 2.8% and Experian fell 1.6%. Sage Group, Pearson and Informa also traded sharply lower. Mining stocks came under additional pressure as copper and iron ore prices weakened and reports emerged that merger talks between Rio Tinto and Glencore had collapsed. Glencore, which has pursued a tie-up with Rio Tinto for more than a decade, was said to have pushed for a 40% stake in the combined entity, a demand that ultimately derailed discussions. Shares in both miners fell more than 1%, while Antofagasta, Fresnillo and Endeavour also declined. Elsewhere, energy stocks outperformed the broader market, supported by higher oil prices after Iran and the US began nuclear talks in Oman.

FTSE 100 Extends Losses

Both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, following losses in the previous session, as investors continued to digest a fresh round of corporate updates while remaining cautious toward software and AI-driven names. Shares of Stellantis plunged nearly 19% and were halted from trading after the automaker said it expects to absorb a €22 billion hit from restructuring its business to accelerate the rollout of electric and hybrid vehicles. Societe Generale fell 3% after its quarterly results failed to meet investor expectations. Mining stocks were also under pressure, with Rio Tinto down 1.1% and Glencore slipping 0.8% after both companies confirmed they had abandoned talks over a potential megamerger. In contrast, Novo Nordisk climbed more than 4% after the US FDA threatened action against illegal copycat drugs. For the week so far, the STOXX 50 is down 0.3%, while the broader STOXX 600 has edged up 0.1%.

European Stocks Cautious

The FTSE 100 Index is falling -43 points. Losses were driven by Relx (-4.27%), The Sage Group (-3.79%) and Entain (-3.27%). Biggest rises came from Centrica (1.74%), Natwest (1.35%) and Barclays (1.33%).

The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.42% Lower

The DAX Index is gaining 26 points or 0.10 percent on Friday. Leading the gains are Rheinmetall (2.28%), Siemens Energy (1.34%) and E.ON (1.23%). Top losers are Siemens Healthineers (-3.77%), Zalando (-3.03%) and Volkswagen (-2.35%).

The DAX Index Opens 0.10% Higher

The CAC 40 Index is falling -43 points. Losses were driven by Stellantis NV (-17.23%), Kering (-4.82%) and Renault (-3.51%). Biggest rises came from Vinci (5.96%), ArcelorMittal (2.69%) and Bouygues (1.78%).

The CAC 40 Index Opens 0.53% Lower

The Hang Seng fell 325 points, or 1.2%, to finish at 26,560 on Friday, reversing strength in the prior three sessions amid broad sector declines. Sentiment was pressured by Wall Street’s third straight sell-off Thursday, driven by mounting concerns that new AI models could erode software firm profits. In China, equities extended weakness amid caution ahead of January CPI data, with recent gold price volatility seen as a potential driver of consumer inflation. For the week, the index lost 3.0%, its first decline in four weeks, as traders anticipate thinner activity in Hong Kong and mainland markets ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays. Knowledge Atlas Tech (-6.1%), AIA Group (-5.2%), and Minimax Group (-4.9%) were among the day’s biggest losers. Meituan slipped 2.2% after agreeing to acquire Dingdong Fresh, the China unit of Dingdong (Cayman), for USD 717 million, though challenges in its core commerce and resource-heavy overseas expansion remain.

Hang Seng Slips 3% This Week

The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.25% to close at 4,066, while the Shenzhen Component fell 0.33% to 13,907 on Friday, with mainland stocks extending losses for a second straight session as a global selloff in technology shares spilled into China. The tech rout has been driven by concerns over massive AI spending and the potential disruption of traditional software business models. Heightened volatility in metals and cryptocurrency markets further dampened risk appetite. Chinese tech stocks recorded sharp declines, including Zhongji Innolight (-3.9%), Eoptolink Technology (-5%), BlueFocus Intelligent (-0.8%), Leo Group (-4.1%), and Cambricon Technologies (-2%). In corporate news, disappointing sales data from BYD raised concerns about profit prospects across China’s electric vehicle sector amid slowing domestic demand and rising raw material costs. For the week, the Shanghai and Shenzhen indexes fell 1.27% and 2.11%, respectively.

China Stocks Fall as Tech Shares Weigh

The Shangai Composite Index fell -8 points or 0.20 percent on Friday to close at 4068 points. Leading the losses are Sanan Optoelectron (-5.97%), Fuyao Glass Indu (-3.22%) and Avic Aviation Engine (-2.56%). Top gainers were Hengli Petrochemical (2.62%), Petrochina (2.28%) and Shanghai Petrochemical (2.27%).

The Shangai Composite Index Closes 0.20% Lower

European equity markets were poised to open modestly higher on Friday as regional shares found some footing after three consecutive days of heavy selling. The global rout in tech stocks also showed signs of easing, while precious metals and cryptocurrencies are attempting to rebound. European stocks had come under pressure this week following a string of disappointing earnings and hawkish signals from the European Central Bank. Investors will now look to the latest trade data from Germany and France for fresh economic clues. On the corporate front, Société Générale announced a $1.7 billion share buyback after reporting stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter profits, underscoring efforts to reward shareholders. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures were both up around 0.1%.

European Stocks Set for Positive Open

The Nikkei 225 Index gained 289 points or 0.54 percent on Friday to close at 54107 points. Gains were led by Ajinomoto (12.92%), Mitsubishi Motors (9.42%) and Omron (7.57%). Biggest losers were Kikkoman Corporation (-7.10%), Nikon Corporation (-6.17%) and Konica Minolta (-5.90%).

The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 0.54% Higher

The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 2% to close at 8,708 on Friday, touching a one-month low, as broad-based sector losses followed a global stock market rout driven by concerns over heavy AI-related spending. The index also posted a 1.8% drop for the week, its largest weekly decline since November 2025, after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut rates in February and signalled further easing this year. Local technology stocks tumbled 3.4% to a more than two-year low, weighed down by hefty capital expenditure plans from US tech giants. Sector leaders Wisetech Global and Technology One fell around 5% each. Resource-linked shares also fell, as gold miners slid 3.2%, dragging the broader mining sector down 2.7% amid ongoing weakness in base metals. Heavyweight miners BHP and Fortescue declined 3.1% and 1.2%, respectively. Meanwhile, merger talks between Rio Tinto and Glencore ended after the companies failed to agree on valuation, scrapping a deal that would have created the world’s largest mining firm.

Australian Shares Fall on Broad Market Sell-Off

The Sensex fell 386 points, or 0.5%, to 82,928 in Friday morning deals, extending its decline, while the Nifty 50 also dropped 0.5% to around 25,500, after the RBI held its policy rate at 5.25% following a 25 bps cut at the December meeting. The broader market tracked a downbeat session on Wall Street overnight amid a persistent tech rout. However, US–India trade deals earlier this week and the government’s budget measures to boost manufacturing and exports helped cap losses. Additionally, the RBI’s upward revision of its GDP growth forecast to 7.4% from 7.3% for FY2025–26 prevented deeper declines. Most sectors traded in the red, led by technology stocks, which fell 2.1% amid the global rout, weighed down by TCS (-2.4%) and Tech Mahindra (-2.1%). Banking and auto stocks also posted modest declines, with the biggest laggards including IndusInd Bank (-2.0%) and SBI (-1.6%). For the week, the index is heading for a 0.8% decline, after rising in the previous week.

India Stocks Set to Close Week on Low Note

The Nikkei 225 rose 0.5% to around 54,070, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.7% to 3,678 on Friday, reversing earlier losses as investors focused on this weekend’s national election. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the snap vote to secure backing for increased spending and potential tax cuts, with her ruling coalition widely expected to win decisively. Markets also navigated heightened volatility, as tech stocks, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies sold off earlier in the Asian session before stabilizing. Japanese tech shares led the recovery, with gains from SoftBank Group (1.9%), Advantest (0.8%), Disco Corp (2.5%), Fujikura (3.2%), and Lasertec (4.3%). Both benchmark indexes are positioned to finish the week higher.

Japanese Shares Recover as Election Looms

The Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Component struggled for clear direction on Friday, but were both on track for a second consecutive weekly decline. Investor sentiment remained pressured by a global tech selloff driven by concerns over massive AI spending and potential disruption to traditional software business models. Heightened volatility in metals and cryptocurrency markets further weighed on risk appetite. Chinese tech stocks were hit, with Zhongji Innolight down 3.4%, Eoptolink Technology off 4%, and Leo Group falling 2.4%. In contrast, resource-related shares rebounded as precious metals stabilized, with gains from Zijin Mining (0.5%), Hunan Gold Corp (10%), and Beijing Xiaocheng (8%). In corporate news, BYD's disappointing sales data raised concerns about the profit outlook for China's electric vehicle sector amid slowing domestic demand and surging raw materials prices.

China Stocks Head for Second Weekly Loss

Indonesia’s IDX Composite slipped 130 points, or 1.5%, to 7,976 in Friday morning trade, extending weakness in the prior session after Moody’s Investors Service changed Indonesia’s sovereign credit rating outlook from stable to negative, citing reduced policy predictability and weaker governance under President Prabowo, who took office in October 2024. The agency, however, affirmed the Baa2 rating. Separately, official data released Thursday showed the economy grew 5.11% in 2025, slightly below the government’s 5.2% target despite robust Q4 growth. Still, weakness was capped by fiscal rhetoric, with officials pushing back against pessimistic deficit narratives and noting available policy space. Selling pressure was broad-based, led by energy, financial, and property stocks. Major decliners included Impact Pratama Industri (-4.7%), Merdeka Copper Gold (-4.3%), Vale Indonesia (-3.6%), and Astra Intl. (-2.2%).  Weekly, the market is poised for its third straight drop, down near 4% so far.

Indonesia Stocks Slide as Moody’s Cuts Outlook

Hong Kong stocks slumped 404 points, or 1.5%, to 26,488 in early Friday trade, snapping a three-day rebound as U.S. futures weakened sharply after Wall Street’s tech-led selloff showed little sign of easing. Mainland shares also fell for a second session, weighed by persistent concerns over China’s slowing momentum and weak demand ahead of the mid-February Spring Festival. Investor caution also mounted ahead of January’s CPI and PPI data in China next week. In December, the annual inflation edged up to a near three-year high of 0.8% yoy while producer prices dropped 1.9%, extending a 39-month decline. The Hang Seng is on track for a steep weekly loss of over 3%, its first in four weeks, though sentiment was partly supported by strong IPO activity. Sector losses were broad, led by financials (-2%), property, and tech. Major laggards included AIA Group (-5.5%), Laopu Old (-3.7%), Zijin Mining (-3.1%), SenseTime Group (-3.0%), and SMIC (-2.2%).

Hong Kong Market Slumps, Set for Steep Weekly Decline

The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 3% to around 4,995 on Friday, extending losses below the 5,000 mark, as weakness in US tech stocks weighed on local semiconductor heavyweights. The decline followed an overnight drop on Wall Street, driven by concerns that excessive AI-related capital spending could pressure profitability and valuations across major tech names. The selloff hit Korea’s semiconductor-heavy market hard, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix falling more than 3% each and dragging the index lower amid heavy foreign investor selling. Losses were further intensified by program-driven trades, with a sell-side sidecar briefly triggered in KOSPI 200 futures during early trading. Weakness broadened across the market, with notable decliners including Hyundai Motor (-5.1%), LG Energy Solution (-3.7%), SK Square (-6.2%), Hanwha Aerospace (-6.1%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-4.4%).

South Korean Shares Fall Further on Tech Weakness

The S&P/ASX 200 slid more than 1.5% to around 8,750 in early Friday trade, touching a four-week low, as broad-based selling in local resource-linked stocks and a tech-driven slump on Wall Street overnight weighed heavily on sentiment. Technology stocks led the decline, plunging over 4% to reach more than a two-year low. Sector leaders Wisetech Global, Xero, and Technology One dropped between 3% and 6%, tracking US tech giants lower amid weak earnings results and concerns over AI trade. Gold miners also dropped 3.7% on weak bullion prices, pulling the broader mining sub-index down 2.9%. Heavyweight miners BHP Group and Rio Tinto fell 3.7% and 0.4%, respectively, amid a persistent retreat in base and precious metal pricing. Rio Tinto has also ended takeover talks with Glencore after the companies failed to agree on a deal that would have delivered sufficient value to shareholders. Over the week, the benchmark index is headed for its biggest weekly decline since mid November last year.

Australian Stocks Hit 1-Month Low

The Nikkei 225 fell 0.7% to below 53,500, while the broader Topix Index also dropped 0.7% to 3,626 on Friday, extending losses from the previous session amid a tech-led selloff on Wall Street. Concerns over massive artificial intelligence spending and potential disruption to software companies drove the decline. A broader selloff in metals and cryptocurrencies further weighed on risk sentiment, reflecting widespread deleveraging across financial markets. Technology stocks led the losses in Japan, with Kioxia Holdings down 5.6%, SoftBank Group falling 1.7%, and Advantest sliding 3.5%. Consumer and financial firms also came under pressure, including Nintendo (-3.7%) and Mitsubishi UFJ (-1.8%). Investors are also eyeing this weekend’s lower house elections, where the ruling LDP is expected to gain seats and pursue expansionary fiscal policies under Prime Minister Sane Takaichi.

Japanese Shares Drop as Tech Rout Deepens

US stock futures fell on Friday, led lower by a sharp decline in Amazon shares following earnings, as the broader technology selloff deepened. Nasdaq 100 futures slid more than 1%, while S&P 500 and Dow futures were down 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively. In extended trading, Amazon shares tumbled over 10% after the company said it expects to ramp up capital spending to about $200 billion this year, with much of the outlay directed toward AI projects and infrastructure. The guidance disappointed investors already uneasy about the scale and sustainability of massive AI investments. On Thursday, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell 1.23% and 1.59%, respectively, with both benchmarks posting a third consecutive session of losses. The Dow also dropped 1.2%. Chipmakers came under pressure after Qualcomm sank 8.5% on a cautious outlook tied to softer memory demand and inventory headwinds. Software stocks also extended declines amid growing concerns that AI could disrupt the sector.

US Futures Drop as Amazon Drags

ASX200 decreased to 8706.00 Index Points, the lowest since January 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Australia Stock Market Index (AU200) gained 0.34%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 2.25%.

Stocks in Australia Hit 4-week Low

The Dow Jones Index decreased -593 points or 1.20 percent on Thursday to close at 48909 points. The decline was led by Microsoft (-5.01%), Salesforce (-4.75%) and Amazon (-4.56%).

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