AI Summary
US indices declined at the close of Jan. 21, amid a sharp sell-off, as investors turned risk-averse after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on European countries opposing his demands to annex Greenland.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.76%, or 870 points, to 48,488 points.
The broader S&P 500 index fell 2%, or 143 points, to 6,796 points, while the Nasdaq Composite retreated 2.39%, or 561 points, to 22,954 points.
In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 edged down 0.70% to 602.80 points, amid broadly negative performance across most sectors and major stock exchanges.
London’s FTSE 100 dropped 0.67% to 10,126, and France’s CAC 40 inched down 0.61% to 8,062 points, while Germany’s DAX lost 1% to 24,703 points.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index shed 1.10% to 52,991 points, while the broader Topix index decreased 0.85% to end at 3,625 points.
In oil markets, Brent crude futures for March delivery added 1.53%, or $0.98, to $64.92 a barrel.
US WTI crude futures for February delivery gained 1.51%, or $0.90, to $60.34 a barrel.
Gold futures for February delivery jumped 3.70%, or $170.4, to settle at $4,765.80 per ounce, with the most active contracts posting their third record close in 2026.
What’s Behind Market Moves?
US assets came under a sharp sell-off after President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries opposing his efforts to annex Greenland, fueling fears of a potential trade and military confrontation between allies on both sides of the Atlantic.
Japan’s debt markets also witnessed widespread turmoil, with spillover effects reaching US Treasuries, after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called for early parliamentary elections, amid concerns that her government may pursue an expansionary fiscal policy.
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