Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Asian markets dropped Wednesday as Nvidia shares plunged following U.S. restrictions on AI chip exports to China, fueling fears of an expanding U.S.-China tech war. The news wiped out $160 billion from Nvidia’s market cap, triggering a 1.4% fall in Nasdaq futures and a 0.8% drop in S&P 500 futures.
The U.S. imposed new export licensing rules on Nvidia’s H20 chips, a move expected to cost the chipmaker $5.5 billion. Analysts warn the export curbs mark the beginning of a larger tech battle, prompting investor caution. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index slipped 0.9%, while Japan’s Nikkei dipped 0.5%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.6%. In contrast, Chinese chipmakers like Hua Hong Semiconductor and SMIC gained on expectations of domestic growth.
Despite China’s Q1 GDP growth beating forecasts at 5.4%, trade tensions cloud the outlook. President Trump’s order to investigate new tariffs on critical mineral imports and China’s retaliation—including a halt on Boeing aircraft deliveries—intensified concerns over global supply chains.
Gold soared 1.2% to a record $3,266.65 per ounce, driven by rising geopolitical risk. ANZ raised its year-end gold price forecast to $3,600, citing increased demand for safe-haven assets. U.S. Treasury yields stabilized, with the 10-year at 4.325% and the 30-year at 4.777%, both below last week’s highs.
In currency markets, the dollar weakened. The euro rose to $1.1316, and the yen gained to 142.84 per dollar. Bank of Japan Governor Ueda signaled potential policy action if tariffs weigh on Japan’s economy.
Oil prices edged higher, with Brent at $64.79 and U.S. crude at $61.42. Markets now await Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech for further guidance amid escalating trade tensions.
