The European Business Briefing

Tuesday, 14 January 2026

Europe moves deeper into January with markets caught between record-high asset prices, geopolitical risk and the accelerating global AI investment cycle. Stocks are surging, gold is soaring and global trade patterns are being redrawn in real time.

Here are the forces shaping Europe’s economy today.

Markets — Gold and stocks surge together

European equities and the FTSE 100 are pushing further into record territory as global investors pile into London-listed multinationals and resource stocks. At the same time, gold has climbed above $4,600 an ounce, underlining how nervous capital remains about geopolitics, inflation and central-bank independence.

Mining stocks and defence companies continue to lead the market as investors seek protection from global instability.
Gold and safe-haven demand
https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/gold-surges-to-one-week-high-as-venezuela-crisis-reignites-safe-haven-demand/

European defence stocks surge
https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/european-defence-stocks-hit-record-high-as-geopolitical-tensions-drive-safe-haven-flows/

Trade — China adapts to Trump’s tariff strategy

China’s export engine is proving far more resilient than Washington expected. December exports rose 6.6% year-on-year, and the country posted a record $1.189 trillion trade surplus for 2025.

Rather than being weakened by tariffs, China has diversified rapidly into Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe — reinforcing its role as the world’s manufacturing hub.
China’s export surge and global trade shifts
https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/china-exports-rise-amid-global-trade-shifts/

Technology — The AI arms race accelerates

The global race to build AI infrastructure is intensifying. Data-centre investment, chip demand and cloud spending are rising sharply as Europe, the US and China compete for technological leadership.

Washington’s decision to relax restrictions on advanced AI chip exports to China signals how deeply interconnected the supply chain has become.
Europe’s data-centre and AI boom
https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/europe/europes-data-centre-and-ai-boom/

Energy — Venezuela shifts the balance

Markets are also reacting to a dramatic shift in energy geopolitics after the US approved billions of dollars of Venezuelan oil exports.

The deal is designed to stabilise global energy markets, but it also highlights how deeply politics now shapes supply and pricing.
Venezuela’s $2bn oil deal
https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/business/venezuela-to-export-2-billion-worth-of-oil-to-us-in-unprecedented-deal/

What to watch today

Investors are focused on US producer prices and retail sales, which will offer fresh clues about global demand. With inflation easing but consumers still under pressure, markets are looking for confirmation that the world’s largest economy remains resilient.

The big picture is clear: 2026 is being shaped by hard assets, AI investment and geopolitical risk.

For the full live news feed:
Europe Business News Today
https://europeanbusinessmagazine.com/europe-business-news-today/

The post European Business Briefing: Europe’s Markets, Tech and Power Shifts — January 14, 2026 appeared first on European Business & Finance Magazine.