Here are the top stories from global financial media overnight.
1. US and Iran Target Infrastructure, Escalating Full-Scale War Risk
The United States struck bridges inside Iran on Friday, while Tehran retaliated by attacking a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, expanding the conflict to target infrastructure and raising the risk of further escalation.
At sea, the renewed conflict once again disrupted energy supplies from the Gulf. US Marines boarded a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. Armed personnel seized another vessel off the coast of Yemen, raising concerns about the security of another key oil transit chokepoint at the entrance to the Red Sea.
Iran's Tasnim news agency reported late Friday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy had "targeted" a Thai-flagged vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but provided no further details.
Washington and Tehran have been testing the limits of escalation since a ceasefire collapsed last week, increasing the possibility of a return to full-scale war.
2. UK Assesses Trump's Iran Threats as Serious, Warns of War Escalation Risk for New PM
Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will receive an assessment from British officials that the US-Iran conflict risks escalating during his first week in office, potentially disrupting his policy agenda from the outset.
According to informed sources, Burnham will be briefed on Monday when he succeeds Keir Starmer. The briefing will include the UK assessment that US President Donald Trump's threat to bomb Iranian civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, is serious if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table next week. Iranian state media reported US overnight strikes in southern Iran hit six road bridges.
The sources said the briefing will also indicate the US calculation that a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, if sustained by Trump for a prolonged period, is an effective pressure tool against Iran and could signal a more protracted next phase of conflict.
3. Meta Reportedly in Talks to Lease Computing Power to Anthropic in Deal Worth Up to $10 Billion
Meta Platforms, Inc. is in preliminary discussions with Anthropic PBC to lease computing capacity from its data centers to the AI company, according to people familiar with the matter.
The people said the talks are still in early stages and plans could still change. The reported partnership would last two years and could be worth up to $10 billion. The news helped lift Meta Platforms, Inc. shares from their lows on the day.
The talks come weeks after Anthropic announced a similar deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to use computing capacity from its Colossus 1 data center to enhance the experience for paying users. The negotiations show Anthropic, one of the leading AI labs, continues to secure major partnerships with other firms to access AI chips manufactured by NVIDIA.
4. Trump Media Launches Paid Truth API, Selling Fast Access to Top Accounts' Posts
Former US President Donald Trump's media company plans to charge traders and investors for real-time access to posts from the "highest-ranked" accounts on the Truth Social platform.
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. stated on Thursday that the data service, aimed at institutions like high-frequency and algorithmic trading firms that rely on fast information access, is expected to launch next month.
Trump has frequently moved global markets with his social media posts. He has the largest following on Truth Social with 12.9 million followers. Other former White House officials also have substantial followings.
A Friday report indicated Trump Media has discussed charging up to $100,000 per month for the service.
5. ASML Plans €20,000 One-Time Bonus for Staff as AI Demand Fuels Growth
ASML Holding NV will award a one-time €20,000 (approximately $22,862) bonus to its global employees. As surging artificial intelligence demand drives record sales, the company joins a growing list of chip firms sharing performance gains with staff.
Europe's most valuable company said in an emailed statement on Friday it will grant the stock award to global employees on January 1, 2027, provided they remain employed throughout the vesting period, with the award fully vesting in early 2030.
ASML's move comes as a global AI construction boom fuels soaring demand for its products. Chipmakers including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have also awarded bonuses to employees.
6. Bank of America Strategists: Market Positioning Extremely Bullish, Time to Sell Stocks
A team of strategists led by Michael Hartnett at Bank of America said asset allocators have become extremely bullish, which is typically a cautionary signal for markets, indicating investors should "reduce equity exposure, retreat or rotate" out of risk assets rather than adding more.
Hartnett wrote in a Friday report that the bank's internal sentiment indicator, the Bull & Bear Indicator, is flashing a contrarian "sell signal" as "institutional cash levels fall sharply, equity funds see strong inflows," and global equity index breadth strengthens.
The indicator rose to 9.6, moving further into extreme bullish territory after reaching 8.0 about two months ago. A reading of 8.0 typically indicates an overheated market with crowded long positions.
Bank of America stated that a reading above 2.0 signals a buy signal.
Comments