**Global Market Brief: AI Power & Geopolitical Risk** **Equities: S&P 500 Breaches 7,000** US markets achieved a historic milestone yesterday, with the S&P 500 briefly touching **7,000** before closing near **6,950**. The rally continues to be powered by high-conviction AI bets and robust earnings from "Magnificent 7" tech giants. Despite valuation concerns, institutional outlooks for 2026 remain overweight on technology diffusion and industrial automation. **Commodities: Gold’s Historic Super-Cycle** Gold has entered uncharted territory, shattering records to trade above **$5,500 per ounce**. The precious metal is surging on a "perfect storm" of drivers: a US Dollar hitting 4-year lows, aggressive central bank buying, and heightened fiscal anxiety. Investors are increasingly treating bullion as the primary hedge against currency devaluation. **Energy: Geopolitics Wakes Up Oil** WTI Crude has rallied to **$64 per barrel**, reaching a 4-month high. Prices are reacting sharply to renewed geopolitical friction, specifically US warnings of potential military action against Iran. This sudden risk premium is currently outweighing bearish forecasts regarding global supply surpluses. **Crypto: Bitcoin Surges Past $88k** Digital assets are mirroring the safe-haven bid seen in precious metals. Bitcoin climbed above **$88,000**, finding support from strong ETF inflows and renewed institutional confidence. The asset class is solidifying its correlation with global liquidity trends rather than just speculative tech sentiment. **Policy & Trade: Fed Pauses, India-EU Deal** The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at **3.50%–3.75%** yesterday, citing persistent inflation pressures despite a cooling labor market. On the global stage, India and the EU finalized a landmark Free Trade Agreement, dubbed the "Mother of all deals," which eliminates tariffs on over **90%** of EU goods and opens massive access to India's consumer base.