27 Feb 2026, 11:21 by Newsquawk Desk
- PBoC announced it will cut the FX Risk Reserve Ratio for forward FX sales to 0% from 20%, effective March 2nd to promote FX market development and support corporate exchange rate risk management.
- European equities firmer, Telecoms lead following potential M&A; US equity futures lower in the continuation of Thursday's tech-led selloff.
- DXY is flat; G10s broadly firmer, ex-EUR and GBP.
- USTs mildly firmer, Bunds choppy after...
27 Feb 2026, 06:37 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks were ultimately higher heading into month-end but with price action choppy following the weak handover from the US, where sentiment was clouded by tech weakness, while participants also digested the recent US-Iran talks in Geneva - which ended in no deal.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said they entered serious talks about sanctions relief and the nuclear issue, while he added it was one of the most serious talks they have had with the US, and technical talks will start in...
26 Feb 2026, 11:39 by Newsquawk Desk
- At the third round of nuclear talks in Geneva, Omani Foreign Minister says Iran and the US have welcomed proposals and talks are still currently ongoing. Further, "Iranian negotiating delegation meets IAEA director at the headquarters of the negotiations in Geneva", via Al Jazeera.
- European equities mixed; US equity futures unable to gain following NVIDIA earnings (+0.8% pre-market.)
- DXY posting modest gains, JPY outperforms on hawkish rhetoric, Cable...
26 Feb 2026, 06:49 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks are mostly positive as the majority of the region took its cue from gains on Wall Street, where tech led the advances, and NVIDIA posted stronger-than-expected earnings.
- US equity futures initially saw support following NVIDIA's earnings results, as the world's most valuable company beat on top and bottom lines, although gains were pared as NVIDIA ultimately returned to flat territory after hours.
- BoJ's Governor Ueda said there is no...
25 Feb 2026, 11:23 by Newsquawk Desk
- US President Trump talked up the economy in his State of the Union Address, saying that the nation is back, bigger, better and stronger than before, while he added that we've seen nothing yet.
- Regarding tariffs, Trump said the Supreme Court decision on tariffs is very unfortunate but added that tariffs will remain in place and nearly all countries want to keep the trade deals.
- European bourses firmer as HSBC lifts the banking sector; US equity futures hold onto...
25 Feb 2026, 06:49 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks traded higher as the region took impetus from the rebound on Wall Street after Anthropic's presentation helped soothe some AI/software concerns, and with tech also bolstered by the USD 60bln Meta-AMD chip deal; Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.2% after the cash market closed flat on Tuesday.
- US President Trump talked up the economy in his State of the Union Address, saying that the nation is back, bigger, better and stronger than before, while he added that we've seen nothing...
24 Feb 2026, 11:23 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses slip as AI concerns hit European Banks; US equity futures rebound slightly.
- JPY dragged on reports PM Takaichi raised reservations about rate hikes to BoJ Governor Ueda; DXY slightly firmer.
- Gilts notch a fresh contract high into the TSC, USTs rangebound heading into heavy speaker docket.
- WTI and Brent mildly gains; Spot gold retreats from Monday's best while Copper gains as mainland China...
24 Feb 2026, 06:44 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC mostly firmer as China returned, somewhat shrugging off the weak Wall St. finish on AI disruption concerns.
- DXY marginally firmer, EUR/USD directionless, while USD/JPY edged higher and above 155.00.
- USTs pulled back from Monday's best, Bunds remained near highs, while JGBs saw choppy action after the long weekend.
- Crude remained tentative amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, XAU faded while copper rallied as China...
23 Feb 2026, 11:29 by Newsquawk Desk
- President Trump raised the blanket tariff rate to 15% from 10% over the weekend, following SCOTUS ruling against IEEPA tariffs on Friday; EU is set to freeze trade deal approval over US President Trump's tariff risk, Bloomberg reports.
- European equities mixed; Defence names hit as Hungary blocks further funding.
- DXY pressured on renewed uncertainty after Trump increases global tariffs to 15%.
- Fixed income relatively contained and awaiting...
23 Feb 2026, 06:48 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks were mixed amid trade uncertainty as the region digested the latest tariff developments after the US Supreme Court ruled against IEEPA tariffs on Friday, prompting President Trump to impose a global 10% flat-rate tariff, which he later raised to 15% over the weekend.
- US officials said that tariff deal partners should honour their agreements, while USTR Greer said he sought to separate the tariff agreements from the 15% global tariff that US President Trump...
20 Feb 2026, 11:15 by Newsquawk Desk
- US President Trump reportedly weighs limited strike to force Iran into nuclear deal, according to WSJ; President considers a range of military options but says he still prefers diplomacy.
- European equities rebound from Thursday's losses, Moncler supports the luxury sector; US equity futures taking impetus from its EZ counterparts.
- USD slightly firmer, GBP mildly benefits on strong Retail Sales/PMIs, JPY weaker post-CPI.
- A UK surplus supports...
20 Feb 2026, 06:45 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks followed suit to the predominantly negative mood on Wall Street, where risk appetite was subdued amid private credit fund concerns and geopolitical risks.
- Hang Seng retreated on return from the Lunar New Year holidays, with the big tech names leading the declines in the index, while mainland markets and the Stock Connect remained shut and won't open until next Tuesday.
- USD/JPY lingered near the prior day's best levels north of 155.00,...
19 Feb 2026, 11:32 by Newsquawk Desk
- US President Trump and his advisors have reportedly indicated that the USMCA could be scrapped, NY Times reports. Instead, the US could have bilateral deals with Canada and Mexico.
- European equities lower as Airbus misses on 2026 aircraft deliveries; US equity futures slip.
- Antipodeans gain following recent losses; DXY flat after Wednesday's advances.
- Bonds hold a bearish bias, continuing the pressure seen in the prior session due to various...
19 Feb 2026, 06:49 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks traded higher following the positive handover from the US and with South Korea outperforming amid tech strength on return from the Lunar New Year holidays.
- FOMC's January meeting minutes showed a broad agreement to hold rates, but views diverged on the path ahead.
- US senior official told Axios that the round of talks with Iran in Geneva was "a hamburger stuffed with nothing" and is one of the reasons why Trump is close to making a decision on the issue...
18 Feb 2026, 11:53 by Newsquawk Desk
- The Trump administration is closer to a major war with Iran than people realise, Axios reports citing sources; a military operation would likely be a massive, weeks long campaign that will be a joint US-Israeli attack. European equities entirely in the green, with IBEX leading the way; US equity futures continue to extend Tuesday's gains.
- DXY firmer, Kiwi hit post-RBNZ while Cable holds afloat following UK inflation.
- Gilts choppy post-CPI; USTs slightly lower ahead...
18 Feb 2026, 06:48 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks traded higher in continued thin conditions as many regional bourses remained closed for holidays.
- RBNZ kept the OCR at 2.25%, as expected, and the central bank refrained from any hawkish surprises; NZD heavily underperforms.
- US VP Vance said in some ways Iran talks went well, while he added that Iranians are not yet willing to acknowledge some of President Trump's red lines.
- US Special Envoy Witkoff said the US facilitated the...
17 Feb 2026, 11:54 by Newsquawk Desk
- US-Iran talks have gotten underway; the latest is that the nuclear negotiations have entered the stage of discussing technical issues, Al Jazeera reports citing Iranian TV.
- Iran announced its readiness to reduce uranium enrichment, Al Hadath reports citing Iran's ambassador in Cairo; added "The contradiction of the US statements is proof of its lack of seriousness in the negotiations"
- European stocks are broadly in the green; Basic Resources weighed on by...
17 Feb 2026, 06:47 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks traded mixed amid the extremely thinned conditions due to the Lunar New Year holiday and in the absence of a lead from the US, where markets were closed for Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day.
- Nikkei 225 retreated shortly after the open with SoftBank and heavy industry stocks leading the declines, as the post-election euphoria petered out following the recent underwhelming GDP data. USD/JPY pulled back with pressure seen as risk sentiment in Japan deteriorated shortly after...
16 Feb 2026, 06:52 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks began the week in the green but with gains limited following a lack of major fresh catalysts from over the weekend and amid thinned conditions owing to holiday closures in the region and North America.
- Nikkei 225 traded indecisively, with the index constrained by disappointing Japanese preliminary Q4 GDP data
- European equity futures indicate a mildly positive cash market open with Euro Stoxx 50 futures up 0.1%, after the cash market...
13 Feb 2026, 11:28 by Newsquawk Desk
- US President Trump plans to roll back tariffs on metal and aluminium goods, according to FT.
- European equities shrug off the selloff seen stateside; Tech rebounds while Basic Resources lag; US equity futures hold steady.
- DXY slightly firmer and USTs rangebound heading into US CPI; JPY underperforms.
- Precious metals recover following Thursday's slump, whilst Copper lags on the back of weaker risk sentiment; Crude...
13 Feb 2026, 06:46 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks were mostly lower as the region took its cue from the losses stateside, where tech underperformed as AI-disruption concerns re-emerged, and logistics/industrials stocks were also pressured after Algorhythm Holdings (RIME) released its AI freight scaling tool.
- US President Trump said we have to make a deal with Iran and could reach a deal over the next month.
- US President Trump reiterated he is going to China in April and that Chinese President Xi will...
12 Feb 2026, 11:42 by Newsquawk Desk
- China's Commerce Ministry announces a tariff of up to 11.7% (prev. 42.7%) on EU dairy products; effective from February 13th.
- European equities broadly in the green; Financials lead as Schroders (+28.5%) gets acquired by Nuveen; US equity futures are entirely in the green.
- G10s mostly firmer against the USD; AUD takes a slight breather.
- Gilts lead after soft GDP though BoE pricing largely unaffected; USTs tread water ahead of Friday's...
11 Feb 2026, 11:34 by Newsquawk Desk
- China is reportedly considering probing wine from France; could consider launching anti-dumping duty to French wine, and potentially take counter measures against the EU if it adopt duties.
- European bourses are trading on the backfoot; FTSE 100 outperforms on the back of firmer commodity prices; US equity futures mixed.
- DXY slightly lower heading into US NFP, JPY continues to gain, AUD bid after RBA's Hauser said inflation is "too...
11 Feb 2026, 06:46 by Newsquawk Desk
- APAC stocks traded higher but with some of the gains in the region capped after the weak handover from the US and with the NFP report on the horizon, while participants also digested earnings and data in thinned conditions, with Japanese markets shut for a holiday.
- Ukrainian President Zelensky plans spring elections alongside a referendum on the peace deal after a US push.
- US President Trump said he might send a second carrier to strike Iran if talks fail and stated...
10 Feb 2026, 11:22 by Newsquawk Desk
- European bourses are mostly firmer, US equity futures are flat/incrementally higher.
- DXY is flat awaiting Retail Sales/ECI, JPY bid alongside JGB stabilisation whilst NOK gains post-inflation.
- Fixed rebounds from Monday's pressure into data & supply; Gilts outperform as PM Starmer pushed back on calls to resign.
- WTI and Brent mildly lower, XAU remains above USD 5k/oz; Copper muted heading into Chinese festive...