Global financial markets adopted a cautious stance as investors assessed a mix of economic data and geopolitical developments. U.S. stocks faced downward pressure due to mixed corporate earnings and lingering trade tensions, while Asian and European markets showed mixed reactions to local economic indicators.

In the U.S., the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped by 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively, as concerns over President Trump’s new tariffs on imports weighed on sentiment. Over the past two weeks, the market has declined by 2.5%, driven by foreign institutional selling and uneven corporate performance.

Asian markets were mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 initially rising on strong Q4 GDP growth of 2.8% before stabilizing. South Korea’s Kospi saw modest gains, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped amid global trade worries.

European markets are poised for a mixed opening, with the U.K.’s FTSE 100 expected to edge lower. Investors are awaiting key data, including UK inflation figures and flash PMI readings, to gauge the economic outlook.

The U.S. dollar weakened against the yen and euro, trading at 151.60 yen and 1.40 against the euro, respectively. Bitcoin held steady at 96,000, while gold surged to 2,945 announce as investors sought safety. Oil prices dipped slightly, with WTI at 70.57 and Brent at $74.61 per barrel.