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China dispatched air, navy, and rocket troops for joint military drills around Taiwan, prompting Taiwan to alert its forces. The drills follow U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and comments from Japan's prime minister about potential military involvement. Markets show mixed reactions amid geopolitical tensions.
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As of January 14, 2026, gold, silver, and copper prices have surged to historic highs amid geopolitical tensions following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Markets reacted with mixed moves: Asian stocks mostly rose, oil prices fluctuated, and precious metals soared due to safe-haven demand and expectations of U.S. interest rate cuts. Supply constraints and industrial demand linked to AI and electrification underpin metals' rallies.
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Rio Tinto and Glencore are in preliminary talks about a potential all-share merger, which could create a mining giant valued at over $260 billion. The discussions follow previous failed attempts and are driven by rising copper prices and sector consolidation. The deal deadline is February 5, 2026.
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As of mid-January 2026, the FTSE 100 has surpassed 10,000 for the first time, capping a 21.5% gain in 2025 driven by mining, defence, and financial sectors. This milestone coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions following the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which has spurred investor interest in Venezuelan debt and defence stocks, while oil prices face downward pressure.
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Global markets declined sharply after President Trump announced new tariffs and expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing strategic concerns. Stocks, bonds, and the dollar fell amid geopolitical tensions and fears of reduced European investment in US assets. Analysts warn of potential long-term impacts on US debt reliance.
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South Korea's Kospi index fell over 12% on March 5, its worst single-day drop, due to fears of energy supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict. The market briefly halted trading before recovering as global markets reacted to escalating tensions and potential oil supply blockades.
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Financial markets are volatile as the war with Iran enters its seventh day. U.S. futures edge higher, oil prices fall slightly, and Asian markets show mixed responses amid ongoing Middle East conflict and supply concerns.