Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Asian stock markets advanced on Friday as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence stocks lifted investor sentiment, while the U.S. dollar remained near a six-week high after strong American economic data reduced expectations for imminent interest rate cuts. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.5%, hovering close to a record high reached in the previous session, supported by strong earnings from Taiwanese chip giant TSMC that revived confidence in the global AI boom.
The positive momentum followed a newly announced U.S.-Taiwan trade deal that lowers tariffs on several semiconductor exports and channels fresh investment into the U.S. technology sector, a move that could heighten geopolitical tensions with China. Technology and financial stocks also pushed Wall Street higher overnight, with Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures posting modest gains during Asian trading hours.
Market analysts noted that TSMC’s upbeat outlook helped reassure investors concerned about slowing capital expenditure and AI-related spending. While the results did not trigger a major rally, they provided stability to AI-linked equities that had underperformed in recent months. In contrast, Japan’s Nikkei index fell 0.42%, pressured by a modest recovery in the yen after it pulled back from an 18-month low.
In Europe, futures pointed lower, with EUROSTOXX 50 and FTSE futures edging down after European stocks closed at record highs on Thursday. Currency markets reflected continued dollar strength, as the greenback traded near 99.36 against a basket of currencies. The euro hovered near a six-week low, while sterling edged slightly lower.
Strong U.S. labor market data, including a drop in jobless claims, has led traders to scale back bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Markets now see a higher probability that rates will remain unchanged in April and June. Meanwhile, oil prices stabilized after sharp losses triggered by easing geopolitical fears surrounding Iran, while gold and silver retreated as safe-haven demand softened.
Overall, global markets remain focused on AI sector performance, central bank policy signals, and geopolitical developments shaping investor risk appetite.
