Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian Stocks Advance as Nikkei Nears Record High Ahead of Fed Decision 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Gold Prices Rebound on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Optimism Despite Fed Rate Hike Signals 
Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Asian stock markets advanced on Thursday, buoyed by a renewed rally in U.S. technology shares, while geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran supported oil prices and sustained safe-haven demand for gold. Investors also reacted to the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, which signaled policymakers are not in a hurry to cut interest rates.
Trading activity in Asia was lighter than usual due to Lunar New Year holidays in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. However, MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan climbed 0.5%, and Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.85%, led by strong performances in technology stocks. South Korea’s Kospi surged nearly 3% to a record high, reflecting growing investor confidence in the tech sector.
The positive momentum followed gains on Wall Street, where Nvidia shares jumped after announcing a multiyear agreement to supply Meta Platforms with millions of artificial intelligence chips. The deal boosted sentiment across global tech stocks, with Nasdaq futures rising 0.05% and S&P 500 futures edging 0.03% higher. Analysts noted that Nvidia’s leadership in AI technology could provide fresh support for the sector ahead of its upcoming earnings report.
In commodities, oil prices remained elevated after sharp gains in the previous session. Brent crude hovered around $70.31 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude held near $65.10. Markets are closely monitoring escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, which could disrupt global oil supply. Meanwhile, gold steadied at $4,963.99 per ounce as investors sought safe-haven assets amid geopolitical uncertainty.
The U.S. dollar strengthened following robust economic data and Federal Reserve minutes indicating that rate cuts are unlikely in the near term. Policymakers even signaled openness to further rate hikes if inflation persists. Sterling slipped to $1.3488, the yen remained near 155 per dollar, and the euro traded below $1.18, pressured by reports that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde may leave her post early.
