Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
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 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian stock markets plunged Monday amid intensifying recession fears and escalating trade tensions, as the White House stood firm on its tariff plans. Investors increasingly bet on aggressive U.S. rate cuts, with futures pricing in nearly five quarter-point cuts this year, pulling Treasury yields sharply lower.
President Donald Trump reiterated his stance on trade, saying no deal would be made with China until the U.S. trade deficit is addressed. Beijing responded by letting markets interpret its retaliatory plans, adding to the uncertainty.
S&P 500 futures fell 3.1%, while Nasdaq futures dropped 4%, deepening last week’s $6 trillion market loss. European futures also sank, with EUROSTOXX 50 down 3%, FTSE futures off 2.7%, and Germany’s DAX down 3.5%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei plunged 6%, South Korea shed 5%, and Chinese blue chips slid 4.4%. Taiwan’s index dropped nearly 10% following a market holiday, prompting a short-selling curb.
Oil prices extended losses, with Brent crude falling to $64.23 per barrel and U.S. crude to $60.60. The flight to safety pushed 10-year Treasury yields down to 3.916% and boosted Fed fund futures, now reflecting a 56% chance of a rate cut by May.
The dollar weakened against safe-haven currencies, slipping 0.4% versus the yen and 0.6% against the Swiss franc. Meanwhile, inflation concerns linger, with U.S. CPI expected to rise 0.3% in March. Analysts warn tariffs may soon push consumer prices and business costs higher, eroding profit margins.
Gold dipped 0.3% to $3,026 as investors scrambled to cover margin calls, fueling fears of a broader fire sale. As earnings season begins, Goldman Sachs anticipates fewer companies will issue forward guidance due to tariff-related uncertainty and shrinking margins.
