From Nasdaq:

The markets and economy are on the rise, with equities hitting record highs in February thanks to excitement around AI. BofA reports strong equity and debt flows this year, favoring the tech sector. The US national debt is soaring, sparking interest in gold and bitcoin. Inflation remains moderate, with core prices slightly ahead of expectations. M&A activity is picking up, reflecting optimism for a soft economic landing. The rally could broaden, but sustained earnings growth is essential. In Europe, despite a tired rally, mega caps are outperforming on strong earnings. The week ahead will see important economic indicators and corporate earnings reports.

The overall market trend is positive, with a mix of higher dollar, oil, and gold prices. Equities are holding steady, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting slight gains. Commercial real estate concerns are growing, with NYCB facing pressure due to exposure. Next week’s focus will be on the US jobs report, Europe’s ECB decision, and China’s National Party Congress, among other events. The Fed’s Mester and Williams expect rate cuts, while the ECB surveys show caution. Manufacturing activity in various regions shows some slowdown, while China’s factory activity shrinks for the fifth consecutive month. Households and Senate are making important decisions, and companies like Dell are experiencing excitement around AI initiatives. Oil demand remains steady, with Saudi Arabia keeping crude prices unchanged, and India expects piracy attacks to rise.



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