Overview
- The S&P 500 rose 0.6% and the Nasdaq gained 0.8% after Nvidia advanced on a multi‑year deal to supply Meta with millions of AI chips.
- Treasury yields edged higher on stronger U.S. data, including firmer industrial production, resilient core durable goods, and a pickup in housing starts.
- Oil and gold prices climbed, with Brent near $69.50 and WTI around $64.35, as geopolitical tensions involving Iran heightened supply risk.
- European equities advanced, with the STOXX 600 higher and the FTSE 100 hitting a record after UK inflation cooled to 3.0%, boosting BoE rate‑cut expectations.
- An FT report suggesting ECB President Christine Lagarde could step down was countered by an ECB spokesperson saying no decision has been made, pressuring the euro earlier in the session.