Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
ASX Proposes New Share Dilution Limits for Public Takeovers 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Asian financial markets climbed on Wednesday, led by strong gains in Korean semiconductor stocks as investors doubled down on artificial intelligence (AI) plays. Growing optimism around AI-driven demand and a global memory chip shortage pushed regional equities higher, while currency traders kept a close eye on the Japanese yen and Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy signals.
MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan rose 1% in early trading. Japan’s Nikkei 225 hit a fresh record high, gaining 1.1% to 57,956.92 after touching an intraday peak of 58,047.89. The broader Topix edged up 0.07% to 3,818.73. South Korea’s KOSPI surged nearly 1.7%, breaking above the 6,000 level for the first time and extending its year-to-date gain to 44%.
Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have seen their share prices double since October, fueled by a global memory chip shortage and accelerating AI investment across the supply chain. Investors are also awaiting Nvidia’s fourth-quarter earnings, expected after the U.S. market close, for further insight into AI sector momentum.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.36%, while China’s CSI300 rose 0.3%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed as much as 1.1% to a record high, despite rising consumer prices that increased the risk of additional interest rate hikes.
The Japanese yen strengthened 0.12% to 155.7 per dollar after a sharp decline the previous day. Reports that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed caution about further rate hikes to BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda introduced uncertainty around monetary policy. A recent Reuters poll shows most economists expect the BOJ to raise rates to 1% by June, with markets pricing in a 50% chance of an April hike.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index dipped slightly to 97.84, while Treasury yields edged higher. Federal Reserve officials signaled a wait-and-see approach on inflation, with ANZ forecasting 75 basis points of rate cuts this year starting in June.
Oil prices advanced, with U.S. crude at $66.12 and Brent at $71.30. Spot gold held steady, reflecting cautious optimism across global financial markets as investors balance AI enthusiasm with monetary policy risks.
