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The Brazilian government's cash reserves are used to secure its debt rollover capacity, but due to fiscal ministry market interventions, reserves have declined to 6.77 months, still above the three-month minimum threshold. It is expected that by 2026, the proportion of public debt maturing within 12 months will rise, presenting policymakers with a dual challenge of stabilizing markets and managing liquidity.

Startup Halter is raising a new round of funding with an anticipated valuation exceeding $2 billion, led by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. The company produces AI-powered cattle collars that can monitor herd location and health through an application. The size of the funding round has not yet been determined.

Brazil's state-owned utility company Cemig released its fourth-quarter earnings report, with net profit reaching 1.88 billion reais, up 88% year-over-year. The stock price rose approximately 3%, making it the best-performing stock in the Bovespa index. Analysts attributed the strong performance to robust energy trading revenues that offset the impact of declining costs and sales volumes.

Evercore upgraded Halliburton and Helmerich & Payne to Outperform, believing that energy market shocks are reshaping supply dynamics and improving the outlook for onshore oilfield services. The firm expects oil prices to remain elevated, supporting inventory rebuilding, and forecasts modest recovery in U.S. upstream activity, which would benefit both companies.

UBS analysts raised their oil price forecast, expecting an average Brent crude futures price of $86 per barrel this year. Middle East conflicts and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven up oil prices, potentially breaking through $120 per barrel in the short term. Analysts believe high risk premiums will keep oil prices elevated through 2027.

The Central Bank of Paraguay maintains its benchmark interest rate at 5.5% unchanged, as inflation remains below target and economic growth slows. Despite an inflation target of 3.5%, year-over-year inflation in February stood at only 2.3%. The central bank will continue to monitor international energy prices and their impact on inflation.

A Nevada judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting prediction market operator Kalshi from offering event contracts to state residents without a license, restricting its financial betting on sports, election, and entertainment events. The order was approved at the request of the State Gaming Control Board and will remain in effect until the necessary license is obtained.

SoftBank Group is constructing a large-scale AI data center on federal land in Ohio, planning to install a $33 billion natural gas power generation facility, with total investment estimated between $30 billion and $40 billion. The data center will have a power capacity of 10 gigawatts, capable of powering approximately 9 million households.

On Friday, Janus Henderson's stock price declined 1.7% to $50.51 after Trian Fund Management rejected Victory Capital's acquisition offer. Trian believes the transaction poses talent retention risks and conflicts with its privatization deal with Janus Henderson. Nevertheless, the stock price remains above Trian's $49 acquisition price, with market expectations for a higher final transaction price. Analysts anticipate that more developments will be announced in the coming weeks.

Zhitong Finance APP learned that on Friday, Super Micro Computer (SMCI.US) plummeted over 28%, closing at $22.12. On the news front, Super Micro Computer has been reported to be involved in a smuggling case violating U.S. export controls. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has indicted three individuals, including the company's co-founder, on charges of conspiracy to circumvent export controls and smuggle AI servers. The FBI indicated that the case involves billions of dollars in AI product transactions and poses a threat to national security. Currently, two individuals, including the co-founder, have been arrested. Super Micro Computer stated that it has suspended the implicated personnel and terminated cooperation, strengthened compliance mechanisms, and will cooperate with the investigation.

The Pentagon is deploying three warships and approximately 2,500 Marines to the Middle East, despite Trump's claims that he would not send ground forces. This is the second major reinforcement in the past week, while the Trump administration is also considering plans to apply pressure on Iran.

Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Censuses reports that the economy is expected to grow by 4.4% in 2025, slightly below analyst expectations. The GDP for the fourth quarter increased by 2.1% year-over-year, also below forecasts and the same period last year. After seasonal adjustments, the country's economy grew by 0.6% quarter-over-quarter.

The Pentagon has made preparations for deploying U.S. ground forces to Iran, despite Trump not yet making a decision. Military commanders have submitted requests to respond to potential conflict, while the White House states there are currently no plans to send ground forces. U.S. military is preparing to redeploy troops to the Middle East.

Hedge fund manager Bill Ackman met with Trump administration officials to advocate for canceling preferred shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac held by the government, involving $370 billion in claims. His goal is to use lobbying activities to encourage President Trump to support this plan. These companies remain under government control, and lifting this status will take time.

Nvidia executives confirmed that the company will deliver 1 million graphics processors to Amazon AWS between 2026-2027, involving Spectrum networking chips and Groq chips. This major partnership will drive optimization of AI inference workloads, while AWS will also deploy Nvidia's networking equipment. The two companies did not disclose financial details of the agreement, and Nvidia expects to face trillion-dollar sales opportunities in the future.

Citi analysts stated that following attacks on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, hopes for resolving the Iran conflict have weakened, with Brent crude oil prices potentially rising to $110-$120 per barrel and possibly reaching $150. Iran's retaliatory strikes on Middle Eastern facilities have heightened supply concerns. The United States is working to ease market tensions and restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon stated that with the recovery in M&A transactions and growth in wealth management and alternative investments, the firm expects to exceed its 15% return target. He noted that increased market volatility requires cautious risk management, while emphasizing that artificial intelligence will bring benefits over the long term.

The British pound fell slightly on Friday, pressured by rising oil prices, but still gained 1.2% for the week. The Bank of England unexpectedly signaled a hawkish stance, prompting markets to reassess rate expectations, with approximately 80 basis points of rate hikes anticipated before year-end. Oil price volatility and geopolitical factors dominated market sentiment.

On Friday, major stock index futures in Canada and the United States declined slightly as investors focused on elevated oil prices and developments in the Iran conflict. The S&P/Toronto Composite Index hit lows, with energy stocks supported by high oil prices. Central banks including the Federal Reserve maintained interest rates unchanged, while Trump considered loosening sanctions on Iran. Gold prices rebounded slightly and the US dollar weakened, though still facing high inflation pressures. FedEx raised its profit outlook, but potential war impacts remained a market focus.