Global Bonds Set for Worst Week in a Month as US-Iran Risks Rise

Global bond markets are heading for their worst week in a month as investors grow increasingly uneasy about a stalemate between the US and Iran. Yields climbed across major markets this week, with those on two-year US, German and UK bonds heading for the biggest...

Dow CEO Says Petrochemical Supply Disruptions to Persist in 2026

Dow Inc., one of the world’s largest producers of petrochemicals, expects supply disruptions tied to the war in Iran to persist throughout the remainder of 2026, according to Chief Executive Officer Jim Fitterling. “The conflict in the Middle East has created...

Microsoft Offers Buyouts to About 7% of US Workers

Microsoft Corp. is offering voluntary retirement to thousands of its employees in the US. About 7% of the US workforce will be eligible for the buyouts, according to a person familiar with the planning. Microsoft has never previously done buyouts of this scale, said...

Goldman Issues Stark Message on S&P 500

AI-linked stocks now make up nearly 45% of the S&P 500, a rise that shows how far the market has leaned into the artificial intelligence trade since late 2022, according to a Wednesday Goldman Sachs note. Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) and other large AI names have helped...

Dip Buyers Are Running Back to Stocks Despite $100 Oil

The reflex to buy stocks is kicking back into gear.Market Snapshot Brent crude oil futures $104.02 +2.1% S&P 500 futures 7,134.00 -0.5% Stoxx Europe 600 Index 611.11 -0.5% South Korea Kospi Index 6,475.81 +0.9% US 10-year Treasury yield 4.32% +0.02 Market data as...

India Contracts Fertilizer at Nearly Double Pre-War Price

India, the world’s top importer of urea, has booked the nitrogen-based fertilizer at sharply higher prices than in a previous tender as the Middle East conflict disrupts supplies and pushes global benchmarks higher. Indian Potash Ltd., which imports the crop nutrient...

Pentagon Seeks $75 Billion for Drones in Record Budget Ask

The Pentagon’s largest-ever budget request earmarks $75 billion for drones and technologies to counter them, mainly for a massive increase for a little-known office working with US commandos to test and evaluate various systems, according to defense officials. The...

Oil Traders Warn of Recession Impact as Hormuz Hits Demand

The world’s top oil traders warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is increasing the risk of a global recession as fuel demand takes a hit. The vital energy channel has been largely closed to non-Iranian shipping since war began at the end of...

Trump Says Currency Swap With UAE Is Under Consideration

US President Donald Trump said a currency swap with the United Arab Emirates is under consideration, as the Gulf state floats the prospect of financial assistance to weather the fallout from the Iran war. “It is,” Trump said Tuesday on CNBC when asked if the...

JPMorgan Lifts S&P 500 Target as AI Rally Regains Momentum

A renewed surge in enthusiasm for artificial intelligence will help drive US stocks to higher-than-expected levels this year, according to strategists at JPMorgan Chase & Co. The team led by Dubravko Lakos-Bujas has raised its year-end target for the S&P...