{"id":59134,"date":"2026-02-25T20:08:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T00:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/gold-surges-to-5170-as-trumps-15-global-tariff-and-iran-sanctions-shake-markets\/59134\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T20:08:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T00:08:34","slug":"gold-surges-to-5170-as-trumps-15-global-tariff-and-iran-sanctions-shake-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/gold-surges-to-5170-as-trumps-15-global-tariff-and-iran-sanctions-shake-markets\/59134\/","title":{"rendered":"Gold Surges to $5,170 as Trump\u2019s 15% Global Tariff and Iran Sanctions Shake Markets"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/metal\/gold-price.aspx\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"gold price today\">Gold prices<\/a> reached $5,170 an ounce<\/strong> as investors sought safety amid <strong>President Donald <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a>\u2019s<\/strong> proposal for a <strong>15% global tariff<\/strong> and escalating tensions with <strong>Iran<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Engie (<a href=\"\/stock\/ENGI\">ENGI<\/a>)<\/strong> announced a landmark <strong>\u00a310.5 billion acquisition<\/strong> of <strong>UK Power Networks<\/strong>, significantly expanding its regulated infrastructure footprint in Britain.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Australia\u2019s S&amp;P\/ASX 200<\/strong> hit an all-time record high of <strong>9,202.90 points<\/strong>, powered by a rally in heavyweight banking and mining stocks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>North Korea<\/strong> unveiled new <strong>AI-based strategic weapons<\/strong> during a massive military parade, with leader <strong>Kim Jong Un<\/strong> vowing to accelerate the country\u2019s nuclear arsenal expansion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Global Markets and Safe-Haven Demand<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Gold<\/strong> prices steadied near <strong>$5,170 an ounce<\/strong> during early trade on Wednesday as a &quot;perfect storm&quot; of geopolitical and trade uncertainty drove investors toward safe-haven assets. The rally was primarily fueled by <strong>President Donald <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a>\u2019s<\/strong> push to raise <strong>global tariffs to 15%<\/strong>, a move that follows a recent Supreme Court ruling limiting his emergency trade powers. <em>Market participants are increasingly concerned that these protectionist measures could disrupt global supply chains and reignite inflationary pressures.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Adding to the volatility, the <strong>U.S. Dollar Index<\/strong> edged lower, providing further support for bullion. Traders are also closely monitoring fresh <strong>U.S. sanctions on Iran<\/strong> and a significant military buildup in the Middle East. <em>Analysts suggest that the combination of trade war risks and regional instability has established a strong floor for precious metals in the near term.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Major Corporate M&amp;A: Engie\u2019s UK Expansion<\/h2>\n<p>In a major move for the European utility sector, <strong>Engie (<a href=\"\/stock\/ENGI\">ENGI<\/a>)<\/strong> has agreed to acquire <strong>UK Power Networks<\/strong> for an equity value of <strong>\u00a310.5 billion<\/strong>. The deal, which carries an enterprise value of approximately <strong>\u00a315.8 billion<\/strong>, marks a strategic shift for the French energy giant as it seeks to boost long-term earnings visibility. The acquisition from a Hong Kong-based conglomerate allows <strong>Engie (<a href=\"\/stock\/ENGI\">ENGI<\/a>)<\/strong> to take control of a massive grid network serving <strong>8.5 million customers<\/strong> across London and Southeast England.<\/p>\n<p>This transaction comes as the <strong>United Kingdom<\/strong> accelerates its investment in power infrastructure to meet carbon-neutrality goals. <strong>Engie (<a href=\"\/stock\/ENGI\">ENGI<\/a>)<\/strong> Chief Executive <strong>Catherine MacGregor<\/strong> noted that the deal would enhance the group\u2019s growth trajectory while reducing its overall risk profile. <em>The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings and establishes the UK as Engie&#39;s second-largest market of operation.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Asia-Pacific Market Performance<\/h2>\n<p>Equity markets in the Asia-Pacific region showed strong momentum, led by <strong>Australia\u2019s S&amp;P\/ASX 200<\/strong>, which rose as much as <strong>0.8%<\/strong> to a record high of <strong>9,202.90 points<\/strong>. The surge was driven by heavyweight miners like <strong>BHP Group (<a href=\"\/stock\/BHP\">BHP<\/a>)<\/strong> and a robust performance from the &quot;Big Four&quot; banks, including <strong>Commonwealth Bank of Australia (<a href=\"\/stock\/CBA\">CBA<\/a>)<\/strong>, <strong>National Australia Bank (<a href=\"\/stock\/NAB\">NAB<\/a>)<\/strong>, and <strong>Westpac Banking Corp (<a href=\"\/stock\/WBC\">WBC<\/a>)<\/strong>. <em>Investor confidence in the region remains high despite global trade tensions, supported by resilient domestic earnings.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In Japan, the <strong>Nikkei Average futures<\/strong> rose <strong>0.92%<\/strong> in early trade, reflecting positive spillover from global equity sentiment. However, the fixed-income market saw some pressure as benchmark <strong>10-year JGB futures<\/strong> fell <strong>0.24 point<\/strong>, pushing yields higher. <em>Traders are weighing the Bank of Japan\u2019s next moves against a backdrop of shifting fiscal policies under the current administration.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Geopolitical Tensions in North Korea<\/h2>\n<p>Geopolitical risks were further heightened by a large-scale military parade in <strong>North Korea<\/strong>, where leader <strong>Kim Jong Un<\/strong> showcased the country\u2019s latest military advancements. The parade featured <strong>AI-based guidance systems<\/strong> for 600mm rocket launchers and new <strong>ICBM<\/strong> prototypes. <strong>Kim<\/strong> vowed to &quot;limitlessly&quot; expand the North\u2019s nuclear arsenal to counter what he described as hostile external threats.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the aggressive display of force, <strong>Kim<\/strong> indicated that <strong>Pyongyang<\/strong> remains open to improved ties with the <strong>United States<\/strong>, provided that <strong>Washington<\/strong> makes significant concessions regarding its &quot;hostile&quot; policy and sanctions regime. <em>Diplomatic analysts remain skeptical of a breakthrough, noting that the advancement of strategic drones and AI weaponry suggests North Korea is preparing for a long-term standoff.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Gold prices reached $5,170 an ounce as investors sought safety amid President Donald Trump\u2019s proposal for a 15% 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