Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Asian stocks mostly rose on Tuesday, buoyed by growing hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump will expand tariff exemptions, especially for the tech and auto sectors. However, gains were tempered by ongoing trade uncertainty and warnings that any exemptions may be temporary.
Japan’s Nikkei 225, South Korea’s KOSPI, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index led regional advances, each gaining between 0.9% and 1.3%, driven by strong performances in technology and automobile stocks. The Taiwan Weighted Index also rose by around 1%. Wall Street’s back-to-back gains and upbeat U.S. bank earnings further supported market sentiment.
The rally in tech stocks followed White House indications that electronics could be excluded from Trump's 145% reciprocal tariffs on China—offering near-term relief for the sector. Still, Trump later clarified the electronics exemption was only temporary and hinted at new tariffs, dampening sentiment. Auto stocks also surged after Trump signaled he may scale back his proposed 25% auto tariffs to mitigate economic impact.
Major automakers with U.S. exposure rallied, with Japan’s Honda and Toyota jumping nearly 5%, and South Korea’s Hyundai gaining 3.7%. Broader optimism over potential tariff rollbacks supported markets across Asia. Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.5% despite Collins Foods Ltd slumping over 4% on impairment concerns in its Netherlands operations.
Chinese markets remained volatile amid trade tensions. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 fell about 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat. Beijing’s 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods weighed on sentiment, as did concerns over the country's economic outlook. Analysts have started trimming growth forecasts ahead of China’s Q1 GDP release on Wednesday, which will reflect the impact of recent stimulus efforts.
Investors remain cautious with low trading volumes expected before the Good Friday holiday.
