**Global Market Brief | February 4, 2026** **US Markets Slide on Fed Chair News** US equity indices closed lower as volatility increased following President Trump's nomination of **Kevin Warsh** as the next Federal Reserve Chairman. The market reaction reflects uncertainty over Warsh's potential hawkish stance on balance sheet policy, despite expectations for rate cuts later this year. * **Dow Jones**: 49,240.99 (**-0.34%**) * **S&P 500**: 6,917.81 (**-0.84%**) * **Nasdaq**: 23,255.19 (**-1.43%**) **Tech & Corporate Movers** Technology stocks faced pressure, with **NVIDIA** dropping **2.84%** amid stalled deal talks with OpenAI. In contrast, **Palantir** rallied **6.84%** after beating earnings estimates. Corporate leadership shifts are in focus as **Disney** named **Josh D'Amaro** as its next CEO, signaling a strategic pivot for the media giant. **PayPal** shares crashed **20.31%**, heavily weighing on sentiment in the fintech sector. **Indian Markets Show Resilience** Indian benchmarks decoupled from global weakness, trading flat to positive. The **Sensex** held steady at **83,739.13**, while the **Nifty 50** hovered around **25,727.55**. Banking and FMCG sectors provided support, with **HDFC Bank** and **Reliance Industries** remaining top value drivers. **Commodities: Gold Hits Record Highs** Precious metals are surging as investors seek safe havens. **Gold** skyrocketed to trade above **$5,047 per ounce** (+2.04%), driven by geopolitical tensions and the Fed leadership transition. **Silver** also rallied significantly, trading near **$87.46**. Energy markets remain soft, with **WTI Crude** trading at **$63.79** per barrel, reflecting ample supply despite ongoing geopolitical risks. **Crypto Market consolidates** Cryptocurrencies are under pressure, erasing recent gains. **Bitcoin** is trading around **$76,555**, struggling to reclaim the $80k level. **Ethereum** dipped to **$2,273**, and **Solana** sits near **$99**. The broader digital asset market is seeing consolidation as traders digest the implications of the new US monetary policy direction.