{
  "id": 16033945,
  "title": "Global stocks fall, bonds gain as Meta dents tech optimism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/global-stocks-fall-bonds-gain-as-meta-dents-tech-optimism-16033945",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-22T09:47:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/22/global-stocks-fall-bonds-gain-as-meta-dents-tech-optimism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Global stocks declined on Thursday as optimism surrounding tech earnings proved transient, overshadowed by lingering concerns about the trajectory of artificial intelligence and the Gulf stalemate. The MSCI's All-World index was on track for its biggest daily loss in two weeks, down 0.4%, with tech stocks from Seoul, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Paris experiencing significant drops. Meta, the first of the AI hyperscalers to release quarterly results, reported revenue that surpassed expectations; however, this was swiftly dampened by the company's proposal to issue non-voting shares, reigniting worries about its escalating capital obligations.\n\nExperts noted that the market was experiencing a confluence of factors, seeking a coherent narrative. Ben Laidler, head of macro and equity strategy at Bradesco BBI, emphasized that the dominant AI-driven earnings narrative, which had bolstered US equities and subsequently global stocks, was now in jeopardy.\n\nIn Europe, the STOXX 600 index fell by 1%, driven by tech-heavy companies like ASML, Schneider Electric, and Siemens Energy. Preliminary US stock futures indicated a decline of 1% to 2% upon the opening bell, signaling a drop upon the market's resumption.\n\nMeta's shares experienced a decline of approximately 0.8%, while Tesla, which also reported earnings and revised its spending forecast ahead of a potential merger with SpaceX, saw its stock plummet nearly 5% in premarket trading. Oil prices surged as geopolitical tensions escalated, with Brent crude reaching a five-month high of $112 a barrel following additional Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia. The uncertainty surrounding potential conflict and supply disruptions in the Middle East had investors uneasy, offering a counterbalance to concerns about inflation's potential escalation and the resulting shift towards government bonds, which saw a decrease in US Treasury yields. The 10-year note fell by 7 basis points to 5.075%, marking the first time it had been lower than that of France in 13 years. French government bonds were particularly hard-hit, driving yields above 5% for the first time in 13 years due to mounting concerns over social unrest and fiscal control. The euro experienced a 0.8% depreciation against the US dollar, settling around $1.1241, while the dollar index, which gauges the strength of the US currency against a basket of six other currencies, dropped by 0.1%. Meanwhile, the yen attracted safe-haven demand, leading the US dollar to weaken by 0.7% to 157.1, following a statement by Deputy Bank of Japan Governor Ryozo Himino signaling his willingness to raise interest rates. Gold experienced a modest decline of 1.2% to $4,090 an ounce, while cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether both suffered a 3% loss, trading at $82,000 and $2,412, respectively.",
  "summary": "Meta’s better-than-expected third-quarter revenue was overshadowed by plans to issue non-voting shares, reigniting concerns over its growing capital commitments.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}