US stock market drifts lower on Monday as investors grapple with tariff uncertainty amid EU warnings of trade deal risks and potential Trade War 2.0 from Trump's tariff plans.

• A Latin American Amazon rival will report earnings this week, with strategies suggested for trading it using options.
• UBS upgrades a real estate stock impacted by AI concerns, calling it a rare buying opportunity.
• Bank of America upgrades J.M. Smucker, noting easing risks and emerging opportunities.
• Wells Fargo upgrades Alphabet, Google's parent, highlighting three key traits of an AI winner.
• Questions arise on whether the bull market remains resilient or is exhausted amid recent highs.
• The Magnificent Seven stocks propelled market records; debate grows if that trade has ended.
• A sub-$5 nuclear stock could potentially double but carries high risk, per Canaccord Genuity.
• Stock market dips as investors face uncertainty from potential tariffs.
• Novo Nordisk shares fall after its next-gen obesity drug underperforms Eli Lilly's tirzepatide.
• Microsoft is the only Magnificent Seven hyperscaler boosting free cash flow amid AI spending, says Evercore.
• EU firmly rejects U.S. tariff increases, insisting a deal is a deal and warning of trade risks.
• Nvidia earnings and GTC event expected as major catalysts for its stock, according to GF Securities.
• Fed's Waller views March rate cut as a coin flip after strong jobs data, may oppose if jobs stay robust.
• Trump's tariff plans spark fears of Trade War 2.0, unsettling markets and Treasury yields.
• 2026 forecasted as a good year for stocks by a CIO, with market focus shifting to value areas.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged 668 points driven by strength in technology, export, and commodities sectors, with tech giants like Meituan, Alibaba, and Xiaomi all posting gains of over 3%.

• Hang Seng Index surged 668 points to close strongly, driven by tech giants like Meituan (+5%+), Alibaba (+3%+), and Xiaomi, with new highs in Li Ning, Techtronic, and property firms amid robust trading volume.
• US Supreme Court ruling halts reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods from Tuesday, per US Customs; CICC and Morgan Stanley see export boost, RMB strengthening, and average US tariffs dropping to 24%, easing trade tensions.
• Central HK Grade A office vacancy fell to 10.1% in Jan (lowest since 2023), per JLL; Midland home index rose 0.37% WoW for 13th week, signaling property market recovery.
• WeChat reports Lunar New Year HK transactions up 24% YoY, mini-programs +70%; offline travel/entertainment also surged 20%+, with Beijing/Shanghai/Chengdu as top destinations per Meituan.
• PBOC to conduct 10T yuan 6-month buyout repo on Feb 13 for ample liquidity; RMB broke 6.90 vs USD (3-year high), fueled by festive demand and positive trade outlook.
• Tencent trimmed stakes in CICC (to 4.99%) and Chen Guoliang in Dexiang Property (to 49.88%); meanwhile, Nomura upgrades HKEX to Buy on strong activity.
• China Shenhua's massive 134B yuan acquisition of 12 SOEs approved by CSRC, largest share issuance deal and first under streamlined merger rules, boosting capital market reforms.
• State firms push "AI+" with big model R&D, compute investments, and embodied intelligence alliances; Moon's Dark Side eyes $700M+ funding after 20-day revenue topping full-year prior.
• HK property news: New World Sierra Sea sees quick resale profits; Dexiang allocates 150M yuan for Web3; JPMorgan lifts HK home price forecast to 10-15% rise; Wing Yip launches 125-unit Kennedy Town project.
• Regulatory moves: Auto pricing compliance guide; low-altitude drone insurance mandate; Beijing fines 12 ticket platforms for paid priority sales; SOEs advance robotics like popcorn-serving bots.

High-profile Prime Minister Takai (高市首相) pushes for 'national conference' this week to debate zero sales tax on food, amid preparations for consumption tax cuts that could be implemented swiftly like in Europe within days to months.

• Japan Consumption Tax Cut Debate Accelerates: High Minister Takai's "national conference" (potentially launching this week per NHK) eyes zero tax on food, with European precedents showing implementation in days to 2 months; LDP's Kobayashi pitches to centrist Okamoto, who reserves response but suggests parliamentary discussion.
• US Tariffs Face Legal Setbacks: Trump administration loses court ruling on reciprocal tariffs (NY Dow surges 230-300+ points); US Customs halts IEEPA-based collections on Feb 24; USTR Greer defers to judiciary, vows compliance; Trump insists on 10% global tariffs despite Supreme Court defeat.
• US Economy Cools Amid Shutdown Impact: Q4 GDP grows 1.4% annualized (below forecasts, full-year 2.2%); Dec CPI hits 1.9-month high of 2.9%; personal spending rises, dimming further Fed rate cut expectations; yen nears 155/USD in NY.
• SoftBank's Son Masayoshi Leverages US Ties: Emerges as shadow leader in massive Japan-US investments, exploiting Ishiba ex-regime's "ATM agreement" for strategic gains.
• KOSPI Surge Tied to Korean Culture and Politics: Index skyrockets amid gambling-loving "yangban temperament" aligning with President Lee's intentions, per analyst Murata Katsumi.
• Japan Wage Hike Momentum Builds: 80% of firms plan raises for new fiscal year (NHK); K-shaped economy widens gaps, challenging uniform growth amid working caregiver economic losses.
• LLinear Train Progress in Shizuoka: JR Tokai president meets 10 mayors, affirms project as vital for Japan's future, pushing toward construction start amid local hurdles.
• Japan Policy Shifts: Income Thresholds and Economy Security: MHLW to ease 1.3M yen "wall" for dependents from April; High admin prioritizes economic security law reforms for robust public-private system.
• Corporate News Highlights: Panasonic's Let's Note marks 30 years of durability (26-direction drop tests) targeting corporate market; Suzuki Crossbee sales boom as "big minor" hit; animal hospital bankruptcies hit 2-year high.
• Global Trade and Niche Trends: Korea resumes Japanese seafood imports near pre-3/11 levels despite Fukushima bans; Mexican avocado glut slashes prices; Ferrari prototype fetches 3.7B yen at auction despite non-road legal status.

Bitcoin price falls below $65K amid Trump tariff concerns sparking a risk-off move, while Strategy logs its 100th bitcoin purchase announcement adding 592 coins for $39.8 million.

• Trump-linked stablecoin faces instability amid WLFI's claim of a coordinated attack.
• Crypto.com secures initial approval to operate a U.S. federally regulated crypto custodian bank.
• Michael Saylor's Strategy announces its 100th Bitcoin purchase, acquiring 592 coins for $39.8 million last week.
• Standard Chartered predicts U.S. Treasury may increase T-Bill issuance as stablecoins target $2 trillion market cap, potentially aiding U.S. debt.
• Elliptic identifies Russia-linked crypto platforms continuing to evade sanctions.
• Bitcoin price drops below $65K due to Trump tariff concerns, with Polymarket showing 75% odds of falling under $55K.
• Vitalik Buterin sells 9,000 ETH amid Ethereum facing potential downside to $1,500; he also backs protocol upgrade for censorship resistance.
• Missouri advances Bitcoin reserve bill to House committee as part of policy initiative.
• BitMine Immersion adds $98 million in ether last week, while its losses exceed $8 billion.
• Pantera Capital leads $11.5 million funding round for Based, a crypto app powered by Hyperliquid.

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