While global markets continue to recover from the aftershocks of trade disputes, inflationary pressure, and tightening monetary policy in key economies, a new threat is escalating: the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. Though geographically distant from major economic centers such as the United States or the European Union, this regional volatility carries the potential to disrupt global energy prices, USD stability, and international trade flows.
Global financial markets displayed a marked shift to risk-off sentiment on Wednesday amid two major headwinds: heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Iran, and growing uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision. These overlapping risk factors curtailed investor appetite, with both equity markets and currency trading reflecting a cautious, defensive tone.
The 2025 Paris Airshow, the world’s largest aerospace trade exhibition, opened with significant commercial developments for Airbus $AIR.PA, which secured multibillion-dollar aircraft deals from Saudi Arabia and Poland. However, the momentum was overshadowed by a diplomatic fallout involving France’s decision to close several Israeli stands, citing concerns over the display of lethal military equipment.
German biotechnology leader BioNTech SE $22UA.F announced on Thursday the acquisition of compatriot and former COVID-19 vaccine rival CureVac N.V. $5CV.DE in an all-stock deal valued at approximately $1.25 billion USD. The move marks a pivotal consolidation within Germany’s life sciences industry and underscores BioNTech's ambition to broaden its footprint in mRNA-based cancer therapeutics, a segment increasingly at the forefront of next-generation biotechnology innovation.
On Tuesday, shares of Quantum Computing Inc. $QUBT climbed by 4.2%, having previously spiked as much as 22.7% intraday, driven by renewed investor enthusiasm in the quantum technology space. The surge came as broader indices — notably the S&P 500 $^SPX and Nasdaq Composite $^IXIC — posted modest gains, providing a favorable backdrop for tech-centric and speculative assets.
The ongoing global trade war has created significant challenges for central banks in emerging markets, distinctly different from the monetary policy environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), emphasized in a recent interview with the Financial Times that unlike the pandemic period—when central banks could swiftly ease monetary policies—trade tensions are causing unpredictable economic disruptions. This unpredictability complicates policy responses and financial stability management for emerging economies navigating global market volatility.
Escalating trade tensions between the United States and Europe have reignited investor concerns after the U.S. administration announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel to 50%. The policy shift, aimed at protecting domestic producers, has sent shockwaves through the European industrial base, particularly affecting German steelmakers and their listed equities.
Nvidia Corporation $NVDA, a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, is set to release its Q1 2025 earnings report on Wednesday. Market participants are closely monitoring the company’s revenue trajectory, which analysts predict will surge by 66.2%, reaching $43.28 billion. However, significant uncertainty remains regarding the impact of ongoing and evolving technology restrictions imposed by China on Nvidia’s operations. Meanwhile, regulatory relaxations in other jurisdictions may unlock new market opportunities, adding complexity to the company’s outlook.
Chinese food delivery and local services giant Meituan $3690.HK reported a robust 46% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter, signaling solid operational performance and resilient consumer demand. However, the company simultaneously issued a cautionary note regarding intensifying competition in China’s fast-growing “instant retail” market—a segment defined by ultra-fast delivery of online purchases, typically within 60 minutes.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has formally requested documents from Media Matters regarding potential coordination with other media oversight organizations. This inquiry is tied to accusations made by Elon Musk, who claims these groups have orchestrated advertising boycotts targeting his social media platform, X. Reuters reviewed the relevant legal documents disclosed on Thursday, highlighting the growing scrutiny of media watchdog activities in the digital advertising arena.
After years of scrutiny and production halts triggered by safety concerns, including two fatal crashes and a more recent mid-air incident involving a door plug on an Alaska Airlines aircraft, Boeing $BA is gradually regaining operational momentum. The narrow-body 737 MAX program, once a symbol of crisis in the aerospace industry, has now reached a regulated production pace of approximately 38 units per month — a figure close to the cap set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following quality assurance reviews.
On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s Legislative Council approved a long-anticipated bill that introduces a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers. The new law applies specifically to fiat-referenced stablecoins, including those backed by the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), and aims to strengthen the city’s position as a regulated digital finance hub amid rising global demand for compliant crypto infrastructure.
