European stocks end higher, defense shares tumble on Ukraine-Russia deal progress reports
Shares in Europe closed higher on Friday as the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran continues to test investors’ nerves.
CNBC Daily Open: Truce tested ahead of ceasefire talks in Pakistan
The fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is facing multiple tests ahead of negotiations in Pakistan this weekend.
The Trump administration is getting angry as EU Big Tech fines top $7 billion in 2 years
The European Commission and Trump administration are increasingly clashing over the bloc’s actions against U.S. tech companies.
Investors are questioning gold’s role in portfolios, says Morgan Stanley — but another metal is set to outperform
Gold’s conventional role as a portfolio risk management tool has been brought into question over a dramatic five-week period for commodity prices
Anthropic weighs building its own AI chips: Reuters
Anthropic is exploring the possibility of designing its own chips, three sources said, as the company and its rivals respond to a chronic shortage of AI chips.
South Korea holds rates steady as Iran war fans inflation, growth risks
BOK holds policy interest rate at 2.50%. Governor Rhee to be replaced by incoming chief Shin Hyun-song.
Kevin Warsh Fed chair confirmation plan hits snag as nomination hearing is delayed
President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair already faced a hurdle by Sen. Thom Tillis over a probe of current Chair Jerome Powell.
Alibaba leads $290 million investment for building a new kind of AI model as LLM limits emerge
Startup Shengshu plans to use the money for a “general world model,” paving the way for more practical robot applications.
China factory prices return to growth after 3 years, beating expectations on surging oil prices
China faces possible inflationary spillovers, though its massive strategic stockpiling onshore and diversified sources of energy provided some cushion.
CNBC Daily Open: Markets shrug off ceasefire uncertainty
The Iran-U.S. ceasefire has lifted markets, but there remains massive disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz.
