From Iran to copper: markets react to global tensions - Jan 28, 2026

As of January 28, today’s news highlights geopolitical tensions, energy market shifts, and corporate developments. In the world of geopolitics, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran to negotiate a nuclear deal, warning of more severe repercussions if they fail to comply. Trump emphasized the urgency, highlighting that previous warnings led to military action in June. Iran has responded assertively, indicating it would retaliate fiercely to any new attack. Meanwhile, copper climbed today after the U.S. dollar slid to a four-year low, while aluminium surged to multi-year highs on supply woes. Turning to market updates, Corning reported strong fourth-quarter earnings, posting net income of 540 million euros, or 62 cents per share, which surpassed Wall Street expectations. Adjusted earnings reached 72 cents per share, bolstered by revenue of 4.22 billion euros, exceeding forecasts. For the upcoming quarter, the company anticipates earnings between 66 cents and 70 cents per share and revenue ranging from 4.2 billion euros to 4.3 billion euros. In the energy sector, RWE's CEO Markus Krebber indicated that geopolitical shifts are ushering in a new era in energy supply, with a growing focus on long-term resilience and reduced dependencies. Germany, facing high energy costs exacerbated by its withdrawal from Russian supply, is seeking to reinforce its energy strategies as it navigates new alliances amid changing global dynamics. On the technology front, Google has agreed to pay 135 million euros to settle a class-action lawsuit regarding unauthorized data collection from Android users. This settlement, which denies any wrongdoing by Google, affects users of Android devices since late 2017 and requires court approval. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady today in a pause that investors see lasting beyond U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell's final meetings in March and April, with his successor expected to take office by the summer and policymakers split over whether more reductions in borrowing costs are warranted. From the international front, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen expressed the need for increased surveillance and security in the Arctic region, emphasizing concerns over Russian aggression. During discussions with Denmark's Prime Minister and French President Macron in Paris, the leaders acknowledged the necessity of reinforcing defensive postures in light of geopolitical tensions in the Far North.