Geopolitics Key Facts • The U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale, coordinated air campaign against Iran on Feb. 28. • Strikes targeted a broad range of leadership, military, security, and nuclear targets. • Global supply networks are expected to be impacted by energy market disruptions and container freight shipping interruptions. Commodities Key Facts • Asian spot LNG prices jumped to $35.40 per million British thermal units, marking a three-year high. • QatarEnergy suspended production following Iranian strikes on its LNG facilities. • Qatar's production capacity represents approximately 20% of the total global LNG supply. Stocks Key Facts • The KOSPI index shed 20% of its value in just two trading sessions. • The market recorded its biggest one-day drop since the 2008 global financial crisis. • Excess leverage triggered margin calls and forced liquidation of positions by retail investors. Crypto Key Facts • Bitcoin experienced a sharp 50% decline in its value. • The dump occurred despite reports of increased global liquidity, contradicting typical market expectations. • Analysts are questioning whether a lack of liquidity is the sole reason behind this poor performance. Macro Economy Key Facts • Germany's corporate tax revenue collapsed by 79% in January 2026 compared to the previous year. • Assessed income tax fell by 14.2%, while wage tax revenue rose by 9.1%. • VAT revenue grew by 2%, reflecting persistent inflationary tendencies. Central Banks Key Facts • The Federal Reserve is split into two distinct wings regarding the necessity of cutting U.S. interest rates this year. • The so-called 'doves' appear to be gaining ascendancy over the 'hawks' to push for more monetary easing. Forex Key Facts • The Iran conflict and extreme market positioning are pushing the Euro toward the $1.10 level. • Current market positioning extremes are a key factor in the present price action. Key Facts • The US conducted missile strikes on February 28 targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters. • Confirmation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's death has shifted the focus of the regional conflict. • The conflict revealed an Iranian 'Resistance Economy' integrated with China, built on resources valued at trillions of dollars. Key Facts • Iran launched drone strikes targeting Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers. • The strikes caused structural damage, power delivery disruptions, and cloud service outages. • The report described the attack as revealing the 'Achilles Heel' of Western digital infrastructure. Key Facts • The IDF announced a strike on the 'Min-Zadai' secret underground compound outside Tehran, allegedly used for developing nuclear weapon components. • The targeted facility belongs to the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), the R&D arm of the Iranian Ministry of Defense. • The Institute for Science and International Security confirmed the destruction of a large engineering laboratory building north of the Mojdeh site based on satellite imagery. Key Facts • President Trump announces the US Navy will provide insurance for ships in the Gulf following Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. • The US military is prepared to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary to ensure navigation. Key Facts • President Trump is open to supporting armed groups within Iran to dislodge the regime as an alternative to deploying US ground troops. • Trump spoke with Kurdish leaders to discuss leveraging Tehran's weakness and making territorial gains. • The US considers the dismantling of the Islamic Republic and regime change a formal objective under 'Operation Epic Fury'. Key Facts • US stocks are recovering losses in the final hour of trading despite geopolitical tensions. • There is a significant intensification of the conflict in the Middle East region, impacting investor sentiment. Key Facts • Wall Street’s volatility index (VIX), known as the 'fear gauge,' rose as the conflict between the U.S. and Iran escalated. • The S&P 500 and other major U.S. equity indexes touched their lowest levels of the year before an afternoon rebound. • Equities managed to recoup much of their earlier losses during Tuesday's trading session. Key Facts • Democrats in Congress are cautiously weighing the possibility of another impeachment of President Trump. • The moves come in response to military strikes against Iran described as 'illegal'. 2 sources Key Facts • President Trump threatened to halt trade with Spain in response to denied military base access. • Spain barred the US from using its bases to carry out military strikes on Iran. Key Facts • Brent and WTI Oil have seen their biggest two-day jump since 2020. • Fears of a prolonged Middle East conflict and supply disruptions are intensifying. Key Facts • Major refiners in China and Japan are considering slashing crude processing rates by 20% to 30%. • Conflict in Iran has led to an effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, trapping millions of barrels of crude. • Saudi Arabia had slashed official selling prices (OSPs) to Asia to 5-year lows just before the escalation. Key Facts • The spread between Brent futures and Dubai swaps (EFS) surged above $6 per barrel, the widest since 2022. • Brent traded around $83–$84, up over 7% in a day, while Dubai crude remained near $68. • Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has effectively frozen due to Iranian threats and ongoing military action. Key Facts • Oil prices reached multi-month highs due to supply disruptions caused by the war in Iran. • Goldman Sachs warns that the cost of crude could hit $100 a barrel. Key Facts • Iraq has already begun shutting in approximately 1.5 million barrels per day due to export constraints. • Supply losses could reach 3 million bpd if disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persist. • This potential disruption represents one of the largest sudden supply losses in the modern market outside of war or sanctions. Key Facts • Middle Eastern countries face the risk of oil production shutdowns as storage facilities approach maximum capacity. • President Trump announced that the U.S. Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate trade flow. Key Facts • Iraq has begun shutting down oil output at the Rumaila field, and major Gulf refineries have idled following Iranian drone strikes. • Goldman Sachs analysts expect U.S. chemical companies to be 'net beneficiaries' of the current energy crisis. • U.S. firms rely on domestic natural gas, while European and Asian competitors rely on naphtha, which is tied to rising oil prices. Key Facts • Total number of oil and fuel futures and options contracts reached an all-time high of 12.7 million. • ICE Low Sulphur Gasoil contracts hit a record high of 1.3 million. • Brent and WTI futures and options contracts stood at 4.8 million on March 1. Key Facts • Gold prices faced downward pressure below the $5,100 level before buyers emerged. • WTI Crude oil prices are on a steady rise and could climb further toward $80.00. • The price movements are occurring within the context of a military conflict involving Iran. Key Facts • U.S. oil and gas exporters are unable to fill the supply gap caused by Middle East disruptions. • Trump's pledge to insure and protect tankers has helped stem the tide of surging energy prices. • Energy prices continue to spike, but political intervention has prevented the worst-case scenario so far. Key Facts • Gold prices fell sharply as safe-haven demand stemming from the Middle East conflict faded. • Markets began repricing Federal Reserve outlook expectations, reducing gold's appeal. • Surging oil prices led to inflationary concerns that bolstered expectations for higher-for-longer interest rates. Key Facts • Major U.S. shale companies are maintaining current production levels despite global market volatility. • Producers are sticking to capital discipline and financial plans rather than chasing rapid volume growth. Key Facts • Brent crude jumped 11% in two days before the rally cooled down. • Trump's escort pledge cooled the market rally by easing supply disruption fears. Key Facts • Silver price increased by over 10% in less than 24 hours, exceeding the $86 level. • The recovery follows a low recorded below the $79 level during yesterday's trading. 1 sources Key Facts • Goldman Sachs has increased its global oil price forecasts. • The hike follows the bank's assessment of potential impacts from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Key Facts • U.S. oil giant Chevron signed two sets of major oil deals in Iraq. • The deals follow the forced withdrawal of Russian firms from key energy projects in Iraq. • U.S. Treasury sources view this as a strategic turning point for Western resurgence against Russian and Chinese interests. Key Facts • Roivant Sciences reached a $2.25 billion global settlement to resolve patent litigation related to COVID-19 vaccines. • The settlement pertains to the company's litigation against vaccine manufacturers regarding Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) technology. 1 sources Key Facts • Babcock & Wilcox received full notice to proceed on a $2.4 billion agreement with Base Electron. • The project involves delivering 1.2 gigawatts of new power generation capacity. • The power will supply Applied Digital's AI factory campuses. Key Facts • Q4 revenue reached $524 million, up 14% year-over-year. • Q4 bookings hit $535 million, a 15% year-over-year increase. • Base44 reached $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Key Facts • The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 50,000 for the first time on February 6, 2026. • The S&P 500 hit the 7,000 mark on January 28, 2026. • More than 70 percent of S&P 500 companies reported earnings that beat market expectations in Q4 2025. Key Facts • UAE stock exchanges reopened on Wednesday after a two-day closure. • Stocks listed in Dubai and Abu Dhabi sold off as trading resumed. • The closure and subsequent sell-off followed a wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE. Key Facts • Vertiv's fourth-quarter results beat Wall Street estimates for both revenue and earnings. • The company's 2026 guidance significantly exceeded Wall Street's top and bottom-line estimates. Key Facts • Tidewater reported strong Q4 2025 results with record cash generation and high fleet utilization. • The company announced the acquisition of Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore and Atlantic Offshore Services for $500 million. • The acquisition is expected to expand the company's presence in Brazil and be immediately accretive to earnings per share. Key Facts • Sea doubled its annual earnings, yet shares experienced their worst drop in 2 years. • The fintech division, Monee, posted 60% growth over 2025. • Profitability worries dragged shares down despite the doubling of annual earnings. Key Facts • Dassault CEO stated the FCAS project would be 'dead' if Airbus refuses to cooperate. • There are ongoing tensions between the two companies regarding project leadership and workshare. 1 sources Key Facts • The Trump administration plans to meet with top U.S. defense executives on Friday to discuss accelerating weapons production. • The meeting aims to address diminishing military stockpiles following strikes on Iran and other military efforts. • The Pentagon is working to replenish supplies to ensure military readiness. Key Facts • Q4 2025 revenue surged 44% YoY to $3.65B, driven by CCS segment strength. • Management raised FY2026 revenue outlook to $17B. • The company plans $1B in CAPEX to support capacity expansion for CCS and HPS growth. Key Facts • Bayer reported a steeper net loss driven by litigation-related expenses. • Litigation charges, mainly related to weedkiller lawsuits, amounted to €3.55 billion. Key Facts • Vistry Group shares tumbled 16% after announcing a strategy prioritizing sales growth over profit margins. • Adjusted profit before tax for 2025 reached £268.8 million, up 2% despite a 9% drop in completions. • The decline in Vistry's stock dragged other housebuilding sector shares lower. Key Facts • Nvidia's annual GTC developer conference is scheduled for March 16-19, 2026. • CEO Jensen Huang will deliver the keynote address to unveil the latest product releases. • Historical data suggests positive momentum for the stock leading up to and during this annual event. Key Facts • The company delivered its 11th consecutive quarter of double-digit top-line growth. • A new $750 million share buyback program has been authorized. • Management targets 10–11% net sales growth for 2026, supported by 25 new product launches. 1 sources Key Facts • The company achieved record fiscal year 2025 revenues of $1,633 million, a 51% increase year-over-year. • The backlog stood at $4.0 billion at quarter-end, providing revenue visibility into 2026 and beyond. • The company introduced 2026 guidance with revenues expected between $1.7 - $1.9 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $320 - $370 million. 1 sources Key Facts • Skeena Resources secured a $750 million financing package for the development of the Eskay Creek gold/silver mine. • The project has received full regulatory approval, de-risking construction and operations. • Initial production is expected to start in Q2 2027 with a target annual output of 370,000 AuEq oz. 1 sources Key Facts • Moderna's stock surged by more than 10% following a deal to resolve a patent dispute. • The settlement provides legal certainty for Moderna’s vaccine portfolio and clears the path for its future pipeline. Key Facts • Q4 revenue reached $572.1M, a 38% year-on-year increase. • Earnings per share (EPS) rose 50% to $1.14, exceeding expectations. • Large-client revenue grew by 83%, and the Agency/Execution segment now generates more revenue than the other three segments combined. Key Facts • Pulsar Helium reported encountering pressurized gas during drilling operations at the Jetstream #7 well. • The Jetstream #7 well is part of the company's Topaz Helium Project located in the USA. 1 sources Key Facts • Indian fintech firm PhonePe is aiming for a valuation between $9 billion and $10.5 billion for its upcoming IPO. • PhonePe is India's most used payments platform and is backed by retail giant Walmart. Key Facts • The VIX volatility index jumped 10% on Tuesday, reaching its highest level since November. • The spike was triggered by the U.S.-Iran conflict rattling global markets. Key Facts • Nvidia's $7 billion acquisition of Mellanox has become a major driver for networking sales growth. • Networking sales are now considered a secret weapon for Nvidia to strengthen its position in data centers. Key Facts • Monday.com stock fell 37% in February despite beating fourth-quarter earnings estimates. • Software stocks were negatively impacted by fears of disruption caused by artificial intelligence. Key Facts • Adjusted net sales increased to EUR 7,420 million in 2025 compared to EUR 6,230 million in 2024. • The order backlog reached a high of EUR 46,596 million as of December 31, 2025. • The company delivered 26 Rafale aircraft and 37 Falcon jets during the year. Key Facts • Reiterated 'Strong Buy' rating for GE Vernova with a price target of $1,169 per share. • The Electrification segment achieved a book-to-bill ratio of 2.51x, indicating robust backlog growth. • Growth in 2026 is expected to be bolstered by the Prolec GE acquisition and rising demand from hyperscalers. Key Facts • Broadcom is scheduled to report its quarterly earnings on Wednesday after the market close. • Traders are anticipating a significant price swing in the stock based on the earnings results. Key Facts • CoreWeave has a $66 billion backlog, with nearly all 2026 capacity already allocated under take-or-pay agreements. • The company guides for a $17-19 billion exit run-rate in 2026 and over $30 billion in 2027. • The company plans heavy capital expenditure of $20-25 billion in 2026 to support infrastructure expansion. Key Facts • Palantir's Maven Smart System and AIP have become a digital bedrock for Pentagon operations. • Palantir's technology has compressed the 'sensor-to-shooter' chain to mere seconds. • Geopolitical instability is viewed as a long-term driver for contract expansion rather than a short-term catalyst. Key Facts • Adidas shares fell 8% after sharing a disappointing outlook for 2026. • The company sees 2026 operating profit reaching around 2.3 billion euros. • Adidas expects a 400 million euro negative impact from U.S. tariffs and unfavorable currency developments. Key Facts • ASM International reported net profit that exceeded market expectations. • Results were supported by strengthened demand and a rebound in orders from China. Key Facts • CrowdStrike Q4 revenue grew 23% year-over-year. • CrowdStrike's Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) surpassed $5.25B. • CrowdStrike reported adjusted EPS of $1.12, beating consensus estimates. Key Facts • CrowdStrike Holdings held its Q4 fiscal 2026 earnings call to discuss financial performance and outlook. Key Facts • Q4 revenue rose 25.4% sequentially to EUR 166.4M. • Orders surged 43.3% to EUR 250.4M, confirming robust underlying demand. • Hybrid bonding adoption expanded to 18 customers and over 150 systems. Key Facts • CrowdStrike provided an optimistic earnings outlook that exceeded expectations. • CEO George Kurtz cited 'elevated demand' for the company's Falcon cybersecurity platform. • AI is increasing the stakes and complexity of cyberthreats, driving demand for the company's services. Key Facts • Independence City Council approved the Chapter 100 industrial development incentive plan for Nebius's planned AI factory campus. • The planned AI factory in the United States has a potential capacity of up to 1.2 GW. • The project will be Nebius's largest AI factory in the United States to date. Key Facts • Kraken became the first crypto firm in history to gain access to the Federal Reserve's core payments system. • The decision represents a major step toward integrating the crypto industry into the mainstream financial system. 1 sources Key Facts • The POWER token value dropped by over 90% within a 24-hour period. • The crash erased all gains the token had accumulated during February 2026. Key Facts • Ethereum price is testing key resistance levels at $2,100, showing bullish resilience. • Reports indicate Harvard is rotating its portfolio in favor of Ethereum. Key Facts • 31.6 million ETH has been moved off cryptocurrency exchanges, signaling a strong trend toward long-term storage. • Ethereum price has been trading sideways around the $2,000 level since the beginning of 2026. • Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin called for the development of 'Sanctuary' tech to enhance the network's infrastructure. Key Facts • Ondo Finance announced the listing of 10 digital securities for trading on Binance's MTF. • The platform is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). • The tokenized securities include major entities such as Apple, Google, and Circle. Key Facts • Trump warned banks not to undermine his crypto agenda. • Developments included updates on BTC ETFs and the CLARITY Act. 2 sources Key Facts • MARA Holdings updated its treasury policy in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). • The new policy allows the company to sell Bitcoin from its balance sheet, a shift from its long-standing long-term holding strategy. • The potential value of Bitcoin sales could reach up to $3.5 billion. Key Facts • Institutional investors and exchanges are locking up Ethereum (ETH) for yield instead of selling during market rallies. Key Facts • Ethereum's price dropped below the $2,000 psychological support level. • Sharplink's losses have crossed the $1 billion threshold due to its staking-heavy treasury strategy. 2 sources Key Facts • Solana's Open Interest (OI) and weighted funding rates have crashed to levels not seen since 2023. • Solana hit an all-time high of $291 in January 2025 but has faced a steady decline since then. Key Facts • U.S. President Donald Trump urged the passage of the U.S. Clarity Act via Truth Social. • Trump accused the banking industry of attempting to undermine the stablecoin bill he signed into law last year. Key Facts • Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $1.45 billion in inflows over a five-day period. • Bitcoin prices are rebounding toward the $70,000 level amid improving spot demand. • Glassnode data indicates improving spot demand but cautious positioning in derivatives. Key Facts • The Aave Chan Initiative (ACI), a major delegator and service provider, has announced its exit from the Aave DAO. • The exit stems from an internal governance dispute regarding a $51 million funding request. • There are concerns that the AAVE token price could face downward pressure due to this governance rift. Key Facts • Bitcoin price is approaching a one-month high during Wednesday's Asia trading session. • Bulls are propelling BTC toward the $72,000 psychological resistance level. • The price is currently testing a long-term trend line and key technical levels. Key Facts • Long-term Bitcoin holders purchased $14 billion worth of BTC. • 17 of the top 25 largest Bitcoin ETF holders increased their positions. • Retail investors are selling and exiting the market. Key Facts • Large investors (whales) accumulated 1.3 billion XRP tokens within a 48-hour window. • XRP's realized volatility has reached its highest levels since March 2025. Key Facts • The US, China, UK, and Ukraine are emerging as some of the largest BTC holders globally. • Governments are increasingly adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets. Key Facts • A federal judge ruled that Uniswap cannot be held liable for fraudulent tokens traded on its platform. • The 4-year legal battle concluded in favor of the decentralized exchange. • The decision is viewed as a major win for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector as a whole. Key Facts • Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan stated that US military strikes on Iran accelerated the shift toward on-chain finance. • Hougan believes crypto has moved into a primary market role and is no longer just a choice due to geopolitical events. Key Facts • Donald Trump criticized banking groups for undermining the GENIUS Act crypto bill. • Trump urged banks to “make a good deal” with the crypto industry, calling the undermining of the legislation “unacceptable.” Key Facts • CFTC Chair Michael Selig hinted at the potential introduction of crypto perpetual futures within the next month. • SEC Chair Paul Atkins participated in the event to discuss market structure and prediction markets. Key Facts • Bitcoin surged over 10%, reaching multi-week highs. • A major lawsuit has been filed against Jane Street, one of Wall Street's largest trading firms. Key Facts • Ripple's processed volume has exceeded $100 billion. • The company added managed custody, virtual account collections, and fiat-to-stablecoin settlement capabilities. • Ripple aims to be a single provider for enterprise digital asset payments across 60 markets. Key Facts • The Middle East conflict is causing oil price shocks, which are fueling renewed inflation risks. • Central banks face a fresh test in balancing economic growth support with combating rising inflation. Key Facts • Senators Ted Cruz and Tim Scott urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to use executive authority to adjust the tax cost basis for inflation. • The proposal aims to eliminate 'phantom taxes' on gains resulting solely from inflation rather than real growth. • Senators argue that this action does not require legislation from Congress and can be unilaterally implemented by the Treasury. Key Facts • Data centers' share of total U.S. electricity demand is projected to rise from 4.5% today to approximately 10% by 2030. • Data center power demand has tripled since 2017, rising from 70 TWh to over 200 TWh. • The White House is meeting with Big Tech firms (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, etc.) to discuss the impact of data center expansion on household energy bills. Key Facts • Australian GDP rose 0.8% QoQ in the fourth quarter of 2025. • The data exceeded market expectations of a 0.6% expansion. • The economy showed acceleration compared to the 0.4% growth recorded in the third quarter. Key Facts • The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has escalated beyond last weekend’s air strikes. • President Trump still maintains policy options to keep oil and gas prices in check despite military tensions. • U.S. motorists are on high alert for potential changes in gasoline prices at the pump. Key Facts • Australia's economic growth is accelerating, strengthening the case for interest rate hikes. • A monthly inflation report showed that price pressures continue to build within the Australian economy. Key Facts • The USD/CHF pair weakened to approach the 0.7800 level. • Middle East geopolitical tensions boosted demand for the Swiss Franc as a safe-haven asset. Key Facts • China's annual 'Two Sessions' meetings will establish key macroeconomic targets. • A new five-year plan extending to 2030 is expected to be published during the sessions. • Commerzbank analyst Volkmar Baur highlighted that these targets will have direct implications for the Yuan. Key Facts • The Indian Rupee reached a new all-time low against the US Dollar. • Rising oil prices are pressuring the Indian currency due to the country's heavy reliance on imports. • Global risk aversion is driving investors toward the US Dollar as a safe haven. Key Facts • The U.S. Dollar Index recorded a notable increase during March 4 trading. • Major currencies including the Euro, British Pound, and Japanese Yen saw a decline against the Dollar.