ECONOMY

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JPMorgan Chase has announced a sweeping 10-year strategy to finance and invest in industries deemed vital to U.S. national security and economic resilience. The bank said it will allocate up to $10 billion in direct equity and venture capital investments while facilitating $1.5 trillion in funding for companies across defense, energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

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Gold prices surpassed $4,000 for the first time on Wednesday, driven by investor demand for the safe-haven asset amid expectations of US interest rate cuts and concerns surrounding a US government shutdown. The rally also follows worries that a technology-driven surge in equity markets may have created an asset bubble. Gold has seen robust demand throughout the year, rising more than 50 percent, fueled by factors including global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and geopolitical crises and Donald Trump's trade war and geopolitical crises.

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The US government may soon own a significant stake in chip giant Intel, as the Trump administration confirmed Tuesday that it is working on a deal to acquire a 10% share in the company. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the proposed agreement could involve swapping existing government grants for Intel shares. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The president wants to put America's needs first, both from a national security and economic perspective."

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Sales of previously owned homes in the United States beat analysts' forecasts in February, jumping 4.2 percent to an annual rate of 4.26 million, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The increase, driven by rising inventory, exceeded expectations of 3.95 million, Briefing.com reported Thursday.

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Financial markets reacted sharply Friday to Israeli "preemptive" strikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites. Oil prices surged, stocks tumbled, and a widespread sell-off ensued as investors braced for a potential full-scale war. Concerns were amplified by the possibility of Iranian retaliation and President Trump's warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.

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The Bank of England (BoE) kept its key interest rate at 4.5 percent Thursday, citing economic uncertainty driven by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The decision comes despite stagnant UK economic growth and persistent inflation, which might have prompted a rate cut.

"There's a lot of economic uncertainty at the moment," Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said in a statement.