Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva opened a phase of greater optimism in the markets, after days marked by conflicting statements between President Donald Trump and Iranian authorities. The price of oil, which had risen due to the increase in tension, experienced a drop after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that “a new window of opportunity has opened” to reach a sustainable agreement, although Iran maintains its willingness to defend itself against any threat.
The barrel of West Texas Intermediate closed with a 0.9% drop to $62.33, after having risen 1.5% during the day. For its part, the Brent of the North Sea fell 1.8% to $67.42. Sector analysts, such as Aarin Chiekrie of Hargreaves Lansdown, indicated that “there is speculation about the possibility that Iran will agree to dilute its most enriched uranium in exchange for the total lifting of financial sanctions”, although doubts persist as to whether this gesture will be sufficient to achieve a definitive agreement.
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In the stock market, Wall Street closed the session with slight gains, after a volatile day. Chiekrie pointed out that “insurance brokers, financial advisors, real estate services and logistics were under pressure last week, and investors are cautiously observing which segment of the market could be the next to be affected by artificial intelligence”. European stock exchanges ended in positive territory, with London and Frankfurt rising 0.8%, while Tokyo retreated and Chinese markets remained closed for the Lunar New Year. Archive photograph of the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford EFE/ Cati Cladera In the United Kingdom, official data showed that unemployment reached 5.2% in the last quarter, the highest level in five years, increasing the likelihood that the Bank of England will cut its benchmark interest rate next month. In the foreign exchange market, the U.S. dollar weakened against the yen.On the other hand, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Germany warned that the largest European economy will not recover in 2026, due to persistent geopolitical uncertainty, high costs and weak domestic demand. Germany barely achieved moderate growth in 2025, after two years of recession.
In the corporate sector, shares of the agrochemical giant Bayer rose nearly eight percent after its subsidiary Monsanto proposed a settlement of up to USD 7.25 billion to resolve class action lawsuits in the United States, related to the alleged link between the herbicide Roundup and blood cancer, which could close years of costly litigation.
