France’s Prime Minister struck an optimistic tone, saying the government can be preserved without calling new elections, offering a measure of political stability after weeks of turmoil in Paris.
In U.S. markets, the S&P 500 slipped 0.38%, with six of eleven sectors ending lower, as investors showed signs of fatigue following the extended AI-driven rally.
Gold continued its historic climb, rising to $4,065 an ounce, now up 52% in 2025. The rally persists despite elevated interest rates, fueled by central bank purchases and growing investor anxiety over the sustainability of fiat currencies.
Concerns are mounting that the artificial intelligence boom may be increasingly self-reinforcing, with companies investing in one another to sustain valuations. The Bank of England added to caution, warning of the potential for a market correction.
Economic data out of Germany underscored Europe’s industrial struggles: industrial production fell 4.3% in August, the steepest drop since 2022, partly due to auto plant closures during the holiday season.
Still, European equities advanced about 0.5%, while U.S. futures pointed to a modest rebound following yesterday’s pullback.