**Global Market Brief: February 3, 2026** **Equities Rally on Earnings & Easing Tensions** Global stock markets staged a robust recovery yesterday, with the **Dow Jones Industrial Average** surging over **515 points** (+1.05%) to close at **49,407**, nearing the psychological **50,000** mark. The **S&P 500** climbed **0.54%** to **6,976**, finishing just shy of a new record high, while the **Nasdaq Composite** added **0.56%** to reach **23,592**. Investor sentiment was buoyed by strong corporate earnings—notably **Meta** rising **10%** on an improved revenue outlook—and signs of de-escalation in the Middle East. However, the tech sector remained mixed as **Microsoft** lagged due to concerns over slowing cloud growth and high capital shifts. **Oil Prices Plunge** Crude oil futures suffered their steepest single-day drop in six months as geopolitical risk premiums evaporated. **Brent Crude** tumbled over **4%** to trade below **$66.30** per barrel, while **WTI Crude** fell to roughly **$62.00**. The sell-off was triggered by reports that the **United States** and **Iran** are resuming diplomatic talks, significantly reducing fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, markets reacted to President Trump’s announcement of lowered tariffs on Indian goods, further stabilizing global trade expectations. **Precious Metals & Crypto Volatility** Conversely, precious metals saw a sharp influx of capital. **Spot Gold** rallied **3.7%** to **$4,837** per ounce, recovering from recent lows, while **Silver** jumped nearly **6%** to **$84** per ounce. The cryptocurrency market remains highly volatile following a major sell-off late last week. **Bitcoin** is currently trading around **$83,350**, struggling to maintain momentum after dipping significantly. Market participants are closely watching the **Federal Reserve**, especially following the nomination of **Kevin Warsh** to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed Chair in May, a move that has sparked debate over the future trajectory of interest rates (currently held at **3.50%–3.75%**). **Economic Outlook** The **Eurozone** is showing signs of resilience with GDP expanding **1.5%** in 2025, outpacing forecasts. Meanwhile, US consumer confidence has softened slightly, but durable goods orders rebounded **5.3%** in the latest reading, suggesting underlying economic strength despite the noise from Washington regarding the partial government shutdown.