By ELAINE KURTENBACH, Associated Press Business Writer

U.S. futures and world shares skidded on Monday as worries over President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next Federal Reserve chair amplified jitters over a possible bubble in the artificial intelligence boom.

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South Korea’s exchange, which is heavily influenced by tech-related developments, briefly suspended trading as its benchmark Kospi bounced, closing 5.3% lower at 4,949.67. Samsung Electronics gave up 6.3%, while chip maker SK Hynix sank 8.7%.

The Kospi has been forging records for weeks as big tech companies piggybacked on the AI craze with deals with major players like chip maker Nvidia and OpenAI.

In early European trading, Germany’s DAX edged less than 0.1% lower to 24,528.57. The CAC 40 in Paris shed 0.2% to 8,108.56, while Britain’s FTSE 100 declined 0.3% to 10,195.88.

The future for the S&P 500 sank 0.7%, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4%.

Markets took a hit as investors considered how Kevin Warsh, Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve after Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends in May might handle interest rates.

Warsh’s nomination requires Senate approval. But financial markets fear the Fed may lose some of its independence because of Trump, who has pushed hard for more and faster rate cuts. That fear has helped catapult skyward the price of gold and weaken the U.S. dollar’s value over the last year.

“People do not get handed the keys to the most powerful central bank on earth because they plan to drive in the opposite direction of the people who gave them the keys,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

Early Monday, the price of gold fell 1.9%, while silver bounced back slightly, gaining 0.2%. Both plunged Friday as record runs in precious metals markets ground to a halt.

On Friday, the price of gold dropped 11.4%, suddenly losing momentum after a tremendous rally where it roughly doubled over 12 months. It topped $5,000 for the first time on Jan. 26 and was around $5,600 at one point on Thursday.

Silver, which had been on a similar, jaw-dropping tear, plunged 31.4%.

U.S. benchmark crude oil lost $3.46 to $61.75 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, fell $3.47 to $65.85 per barrel.

Speaking to reporters during the weekend, Trump said Iran should negotiate a “satisfactory” deal to prevent the Middle Eastern country from getting any nuclear weapons.

“I don’t know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us,” he said.

That comment apparently assuaged some worries over potential disruptions to oil supplies that had pushed prices higher, analysts said.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 gave up early gains, sinking 1.3% to 52,655.18.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 2.2% to 26,775.57, while the Shanghai Composite index sank 2.5% to 4,015.75.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 fell 1% to 8,778.60.

Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.4%.

On Friday, the S&P 500 dropped 0.4% and the Dow lost 0.4%. The Nasdaq composite lost 0.9%.

The Fed chair has a big influence on the economy and markets worldwide by helping to dictate where the U.S. central bank moves interest rates. That affects prices for all kinds of investments, as the Fed tries to keep the U.S. job market humming without letting inflation get out of control.

A report released Friday showed U.S. inflation at the wholesale level was hotter last month than economists expected. That could put pressure on the Fed to keep interest rates steady for a while instead of cutting them, as it did late last year.

The longtime assumption has been that the Fed should operate separately from the rest of Washington so that it can make moves that are painful in the short term but necessary for the long term. To get inflation down to the Fed’s goal of 2%, for example, may require the unpopular choice to keep interest rates high and grind down on the economy for a while.

In other action early Monday, the dollar fell to 154.88 Japanese yen from 154.94 yen. The euro was unchanged at $1.1853.

BEIJING (AP) — Beijing on Monday criticized the Dalai Lama ’s first Grammy win, describing the music industry award for an audiobook, narration and storytelling as “a tool for anti-China political manipulation.”

The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, who lives in exile in India, took the award on Sunday for his book, “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

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He said in a statement on his website that he saw the award “as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility.”

“I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility,” he added.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion.”

“We firmly oppose the relevant party using the award as a tool for anti-China political manipulation,” he added.

The Dalai Lama, who is seen by many as the face of Tibet’s struggle for autonomy, has lived in exile since 1959, when Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa.

China, which governs Tibet as an autonomous region, has been accused of trying to stamp out the Tibetan language, culture and identity.

Beijing and the Dalai Lama also spar over the spiritual leader’s eventual successor. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lamas are reincarnations of a spiritual leader first born in 1391.

Beijing maintains the next Dalai Lama will be born in Tibet and recognized by the ruling Communist Party, whereas the Dalai Lama has said his successor will be from a free country and that China has no role in the process.

Today is Monday, Feb. 2, the 33rd day of 2026. There are 332 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 2, 2013, former Navy SEAL and “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle was fatally shot along with a friend at a gun range west of Glen Rose, Texas; Eddie Ray Routh was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Also on this date:

In 1536, present-day Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza.

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In 1653, New Amsterdam — now New York City — was incorporated as a city.

In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, officially ending the Mexican-American War.

In 1925, the legendary Alaska Serum Run ended as the last of a series of dog mushers brought life-saving medication to Nome, the scene of a diphtheria epidemic, traveling 674 miles in just six days.

In 1943, the remainder of Nazi forces at the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered in a major victory for the Soviets in World War II.

In 1990, in a dramatic concession to South Africa’s Black majority, President F.W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.

In 1992, Václav Havel, the dissident playwright who led an anti-communist revolution, became the first president of the independent Czech Republic, after Czechoslovakia’s split. He previously served as the first democratically elected president of Czechoslovakia after the fall of communism.

In 2014, Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, widely considered one of the greatest actors of his generation, was found dead in his New York apartment from an accidental drug overdose.

In 2022, four men were charged with being part of the drug distribution crew that supplied a deadly mix of narcotics to actor Michael K. Williams of “The Wire,” who had overdosed five months earlier.

Today’s birthdays:

Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 84.
Television executive Barry Diller is 84.
TV chef Ina Garten is 78.
Actor Brent Spiner is 77.
Football Hall of Famer Dave Casper is 74.
Model Christie Brinkley is 72.
Singer Shakira is 49.
Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama is 44.
Actor Gemma Arterton is 40.
Actor Zosia Mamet is 38.
Actor Paul Mescal is 30.
Actor Ellie Bamber is 29.

Get a jump-start on your health this year

If you’re looking to support your health goals this year, metabolism supplements may be able to help. Metabolism — the process by which your body converts food into energy — is influenced by many factors, from age to muscle mass, genetics, activity level and overall health. Supplements can support various aspects of metabolic health and energy production at the cellular level, but they don’t magically “boost” metabolism in the dramatic way advertisements sometimes suggest. The reality is more nuanced: Certain ingredients support the body’s natural energy production processes, cardiovascular health and cellular function that contribute to overall metabolic wellness.

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The supplements people turn to for metabolic support typically fall into categories: those supporting cellular energy production (like CoQ10), those promoting cardiovascular health and blood flow (like beet root supplements) and those supporting organs involved in metabolism (like liver support formulas). Some people also consider gut health supplements, since emerging research connects digestive wellness to metabolic function. These aren’t substitutes for the fundamentals — regular exercise, adequate sleep, proper nutrition and stress management — but some people use them as complementary tools alongside healthy lifestyle habits.

Before starting any supplement regimen, consult with health care providers, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications. And note that supplements aren’t regulated like pharmaceuticals, so quality and transparency matter when choosing brands.

Here are supplements from 1MD Nutrition that many customers on Amazon choose to support different aspects of their metabolic and overall health — and you can, too.

These supplements can give you a healthy start to 2026

1MD Nutrition CoQ10 – for Heart Health & Cellular Energy Production

This CoQ10 supplement supports heart health and cellular energy production. Coenzyme Q10 is a compound the body produces naturally that plays a role in cellular energy generation. Levels of it may decrease with age. This supplement’s formula aims to support cardiovascular wellness and energy at the cellular level.

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1MD Nutrition CardioFitMD

This beet root powder supplement supports nitric oxide production for cardiovascular health. Beets naturally contain nitrates that the body converts to nitric oxide, which supports healthy blood flow. The formula is vegan and keto-friendly to support both plant-based and low-carb diets — plus it has a high fiber content to support digestive health.

1MD Nutrition LiverMD – Liver Support Supplement

This liver support supplement contains Siliphos milk thistle extract and NAC. The liver plays a central role in metabolism by processing nutrients and filtering blood, and milk thistle has been traditionally used for liver support. NAC serves as a precursor to glutathione, an antioxidant the body produces. This formula aims to support healthy energy levels and overall wellness.

1MD Nutrition GutMD – L-Glutamine Capsules w/Prebiotic for Gut Health

This gut health supplement features L-glutamine with prebiotics. L-glutamine is an amino acid that supports the integrity of the intestinal lining, while prebiotics nourish beneficial gut bacteria. Emerging research suggests connections between gut health and metabolic function.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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