European stock markets rise collectively! Gold and silver rebound

On February 18th local time, European stock markets experienced a broad rally. The UK FTSE 100 index reached a record high intraday, while France’s CAC40, Germany’s DAX, and the Euro Stoxx 50 indices all approached their historical highs.

In the commodities market, international precious metals prices and oil prices rebounded collectively, with London gold spot prices recapturing the $4,900 per ounce level.

European stock markets open higher and continue to rise

International gold and oil prices rebound collectively

On February 18th local time, European stock markets opened higher and continued to rise, with multiple indices reaching or approaching record highs intraday.

Data shows that as of 8:50 PM Beijing time on February 18th, the UK FTSE 100 index rose over 1%, hitting a new intraday high; France’s CAC40, Germany’s DAX, and the Euro Stoxx 50 indices increased by 0.4%, 0.73%, and 0.87% respectively, all approaching their historical highs; Italy’s MIB index rose over 1%.

For the U.S. markets, the focus is currently on the Federal Reserve’s February monetary policy meeting minutes to be released in the early hours of February 19th Beijing time. Although this meeting did not involve interest rate adjustments, the Fed’s assessment of U.S. inflation and employment conditions may influence market expectations regarding the pace of rate cuts in 2026.

In the commodities market, international precious metals prices rebounded collectively. As of 8:50 PM Beijing time on February 18th, COMEX gold futures and London gold spot prices increased by 0.77% and 1.13%, respectively, to $4,943.6 per ounce and $4,931.611 per ounce; COMEX silver futures and London silver spot prices saw more significant rebounds, rising by 2.69% and 2.8%, to $75.52 per ounce and $75.548 per ounce.

Regarding oil prices, NYMEX crude oil futures and ICE Brent crude futures both rose over 2%, with the former approaching $64 per barrel and the latter nearing $70 per barrel.

Sanae Takaichi elected Japan’s new Prime Minister

According to CCTV News, on February 18th local time, in the second round of the Japanese Prime Minister nomination vote in the House of Councillors, the Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takaichi received more than half of the votes, confirming her election as Japan’s new Prime Minister.

In this round of voting, with 246 valid votes, Takaichi received 125 votes, officially becoming Japan’s 105th Prime Minister.

She will now begin forming a new cabinet. That evening, after the Prime Minister appointment and cabinet minister certification ceremony at the Imperial Palace, the new cabinet will be officially established.

No documents signed at Russia-U.S.-Ukraine Geneva talks

According to CCTV News, Russia, the United States, and Ukraine did not sign any documents during the two-day Geneva trilateral talks held on February 18th.

Russia’s delegation leader, Meginzki, told the media in Geneva that the negotiations lasted two hours and were “difficult but pragmatic.” He said the next round of talks would be held soon but did not specify the date or location.

It is reported that this round of trilateral talks was held behind closed doors, during which the parties discussed key factors for resolving the Ukraine issue, including military, political, and humanitarian aspects. The first day of talks on the 17th was tense, with separate meetings between Russia and the U.S., and Russia and Ukraine. Due to differing positions, discussions on political issues on the 17th stalled.