🚨🚨Global Equity Markets today 14 Feb

US Markets 

   - **S&P 500** rose 1.04% to 6,115.07, driven by tech resilience (Nvidia +3.4%, Tesla +5%) and optimism over delayed U.S. tariffs. The **Nasdaq** surged 1.5% to 19,945.64, with Apple (+2%) gaining ahead of its product launch on February 19 .  

   - **Dow Jones** climbed 0.77% to 44,711.43, supported by industrials like Cisco (+2%) and Coca-Cola (+4%) .  

Europe

   - **DAX** surged 2.09% to 22,612.02, fueled by Siemens (+7.3%) and defense stocks (Rheinmetall +4%) on hopes of a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire .  

   - **FTSE 100** underperformed (-0.49%) due to weak earnings from BAT (-9.3%) and Unilever (-6.2%) .  

Asia-Pacific

   - **Hang Seng** jumped 2.24% on AI optimism (Alibaba +8.6%, Xiaomi +4.8%), while **Nikkei** gained 1.28% despite yen strength .  

   - **Shanghai Composite** rose 0.7%, supported by fiscal stimulus and tech sectors, though semiconductor stocks faced profit-taking .  

Forex & Central Banks

- **USD (DXY)**: Fell 0.88% to 107.06, pressured by Fed rate-cut bets and softer Treasury yields (10-year yield at 4.53%) .  

- **EUR/USD**: Rose 0.79% to 1.0465, testing resistance at 1.0500 amid ECB rate-cut expectations .  

- **USD/JPY**: Dropped 1.05% to 152.80 as BOJ hinted at ending negative rates, while Japan sought tariff exemptions .  

- **AUD/USD**: Gained 0.6% to 0.6317 ahead of the RBA meeting next week, where a rate cut is anticipated .  

Commodities

- **Gold**: Hit a record high of **$2,962.8/oz** (COMEX), driven by safe-haven demand amid geopolitical tensions and Fed uncertainty .  

- **Silver**: Rose 0.58% to $32.975/oz, testing resistance at $33 .  

- **Oil**: Brent crude edged up 0.08% to $75.24/barrel, supported by Middle East tensions but capped by oversupply risks .  

- **Copper**: LME prices rose 0.23% to $9,476/ton on industrial demand optimism .  

Key Events & Data

1. **US Retail Sales (Jan)**: Forecast +0.3% MoM; a miss could strengthen rate-cut bets .  

2. **Eurozone Q4 GDP**: Expected to confirm 0.1% QoQ growth, reflecting stagnation .  

3. **Fed Policy**: Markets price a 65% chance of a May rate cut, with focus on Powell’s upcoming testimony .  

Technical Outlook

- **S&P 500**: Bullish above 6,099.90 pivot; resistance at 6,176.46. A breakout could target 6,200 .  

- **EUR/USD**: Testing 1.0466 resistance; a downward correction to 1.0372 is possible before renewed gains .  

- **Gold (XAUUSD)**: Targeting $2,960 resistance; support at $2,865 .  

- **USD/JPY**: Bearish below 152.66 pivot; next support at 150.62 .  

Risks & Trends

1. **Tariff Volatility**: Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on autos, steel, and pharmaceuticals loom, risking global trade disruptions .  

2. **AI Competition**: China’s DeepSeek challenges U.S. tech dominance, pressuring semiconductor valuations .  

3. **Central Bank Policies**: Fed’s “higher-for-longer” stance contrasts with ECB/BOJ easing, creating currency divergence .  

Equity Highlights 

- **Siemens (+7.3%)**: Surged on strong earnings and 5G network partnerships with Singapore’s defense agencies .  

- **iFast Corp (+8%)**: Jumped on robust Q4 earnings (profit up 46% YoY) and expansion into China’s wealth management market .  

- **Horizon Robotics (+6.5%)**: Gained on partnerships with BYD for smart driving solutions .  

Conclusion

Markets remain driven by geopolitical tensions, tariff risks, and central bank policies. Gold and tech stocks are focal points, while forex markets react to shifting rate expectations. Monitor US retail sales and Eurozone GDP for short-term direction.