Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
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South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Mainland Chinese stocks surged to multi-year highs after returning from an extended break, fueled by investor excitement over Beijing’s aggressive stimulus measures. The CSI300 blue-chip index jumped 5.5% in early trade to reach its highest point since July 2022, while the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 5.2%, marking its highest level since December 2021.
However, this optimism did not extend to other Asian markets. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 2.5%, driven by a 5.3% slump in its Mainland Properties Index. Overall, MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan fell by more than 1%.
Experts suggest that the Chinese market’s rise reflects investor confidence in the local market, while profit-taking could be behind Hong Kong's decline. Investors now await further details on China's stimulus pledges.
Meanwhile, fears of a Middle East conflict disrupted global markets. Brent crude briefly surged above $90 per barrel due to concerns about oil supply disruptions, but later retreated. Additionally, U.S. Treasury yields held steady as investors reconsidered the likelihood of further interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve following strong U.S. jobs data.
