Geopolitics 18 February 2026 - 2 March 2026

Critical Metals Stock Reacts as Tanbreez Deals Stir Up Rare-Earth Work and China Supply Risk
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Critical Metals Stock Reacts as Tanbreez Deals Stir Up Rare-Earth Work and China Supply Risk

Critical Metals Corp shares held steady at $10.75 in early U.S. premarket trading Thursday after closing up 9.69% the previous day. The move followed news of a 15-year offtake deal with REalloys Inc. for 15% of Tanbreez’s Phase 1 output and an amended SEC filing raising Critical Metals’ Tanbreez stake to 92.5%. Regular Nasdaq trading had not opened at the time.
May 21, 2026
Wall Street hit by Iran strikes: Dow futures slide, oil spikes, defense stocks surge
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Wall Street hit by Iran strikes: Dow futures slide, oil spikes, defense stocks surge

U.S. stock index futures fell over 1% early Monday after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation sent oil prices surging and disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Dow E-minis dropped 508 points, while Brent crude briefly jumped 13% to $82.37 a barrel. Defense stocks rose in premarket trading; airlines, banks, and cruise operators declined. The CBOE Volatility Index hit a three-month high of 23.2.
March 2, 2026
Northrop Grumman stock jumps in premarket as Iran conflict puts defense names back in focus
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Northrop Grumman stock jumps in premarket as Iran conflict puts defense names back in focus

Northrop Grumman shares jumped 5.5% to $764.40 in premarket trading Monday after U.S. B-2 bombers, built by the company, struck Iranian targets over the weekend. U.S. stock index futures fell more than 1% as oil prices surged 8% and traders shifted into defense stocks. Some oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz were suspended following the attacks. Investors await fresh U.S. economic data later Monday.
March 2, 2026
Silver price braces for a volatile reopen after Iran strikes; US jobs report looms
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Silver price braces for a volatile reopen after Iran strikes; US jobs report looms

Spot silver jumped 6.1% to $93.74 an ounce Friday as investors sought havens after Israel launched new strikes on Tehran and oil surged about 10%. Brent crude traded near $80 a barrel, with analysts warning prices could climb if disruptions persist. COMEX silver futures reopen Sunday evening. Traders await U.S. jobs data Friday, seen as key for rate and dollar moves.
March 1, 2026
Gold price jumps near one-month high above $5,200 as Iran talks drag into weekend
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Gold price jumps near one-month high above $5,200 as Iran talks drag into weekend

Gold climbed to a one-month high Friday, with spot prices up 0.8% at $5,230.56 an ounce and U.S. April futures settling 1% higher at $5,247.90. Bullion has gained 7.6% in February, boosted by lower Treasury yields and U.S.-Iran headlines. The dollar index firmed, while U.S. producer prices rose 0.5% in January. China’s net gold imports via Hong Kong increased to 20.585 metric tons last month.
February 28, 2026
Gold price today jumps near one-month high as geopolitics, falling yields lift bullion
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Gold price today jumps near one-month high as geopolitics, falling yields lift bullion

Spot gold rose 1% to $5,238.75 an ounce on Friday, heading for a seventh straight monthly gain as U.S.-Iran tensions and falling Treasury yields drove safe-haven demand. U.S. gold futures for April delivery climbed 1.1% to $5,254. The yield on 10-year U.S. notes dropped to 3.977%. China’s net gold imports via Hong Kong jumped 68.7% in January from December.
February 27, 2026
Chevron’s Iraq oilfield gamble: one-year exclusive talks for West Qurna 2 after Lukoil sanctions
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Chevron’s Iraq oilfield gamble: one-year exclusive talks for West Qurna 2 after Lukoil sanctions

Chevron has secured a one-year exclusive window to negotiate new terms for Iraq’s West Qurna 2 oilfield after U.S. sanctions forced Russia’s Lukoil to exit. Any transfer of the field requires Iraqi cabinet approval and clearance from U.S. sanctions authorities. West Qurna 2 produces about 480,000 barrels per day, nearly 10% of Iraq’s oil output.
February 25, 2026
Oil prices jump to six-month high as Iran tensions flare and U.S. stocks slide
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Oil prices jump to six-month high as Iran tensions flare and U.S. stocks slide

Brent crude rose 1.8% to $71.60 a barrel and U.S. WTI climbed 1.9% to $66.41, both hitting six-month highs Thursday amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and a surprise U.S. inventory draw. Iran briefly closed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, raising supply concerns. U.S. crude stocks fell by 9 million barrels last week, defying analyst forecasts. President Trump pressed Iran for a nuclear deal as Washington increased its military presence.
February 19, 2026
Brent crude price jumps above $70 on Hormuz jitters — what oil traders watch next
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Brent crude price jumps above $70 on Hormuz jitters — what oil traders watch next

Brent crude futures jumped 4.1% to $70.19 a barrel Wednesday as Middle East supply fears resurfaced after Iran briefly shut the Strait of Hormuz during military drills. U.S. WTI rose 4.3% to $64.93. Traders cited U.S.-Iran tensions, shifting U.S. naval deployments, and stalled Russia-Ukraine talks as drivers. Reuters reported odds of U.S. strikes on Iran by end-April at 65%.
February 18, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • ASE Technology Holding Co. Announces Strategic Collaboration with WUS Printed Circuit Co.
    May 23, 2026, 8:13 AM EDT. ASE Technology Holding Co. (ASX) has announced a strategic collaboration with WUS Printed Circuit Co. to enhance production capabilities in the printed circuit sector. This move aligns with growing investments in advanced technologies such as generative AI and robotics, which experts like Elon Musk predict will drive a $250 trillion market by 2040. Industry leaders including Bill Gates and Larry Ellison emphasize AI's transformative potential, underscoring the significance of companies like ASE in supporting this ecosystem. This partnership is expected to strengthen ASE's positioning amid a sweeping AI-driven technological revolution, as companies and governments worldwide adapt to rapid innovation in AI and robotics.