Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
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 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Tuesday, boosted by gains in automakers after the U.S. announced measures to soften auto tariffs. However, mainland Chinese stocks edged lower amid a lack of new stimulus from Beijing.
With Japanese markets closed for a holiday, regional trading volumes were light. Major U.S. indexes posted slight gains on Monday, with futures inching higher during Asian hours.
Investor sentiment improved after the Trump administration said it would ease some tariffs on foreign auto parts used in U.S.-made vehicles. According to The Wall Street Journal, automakers will be exempt from additional duties, such as those on steel and aluminum.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.5%, driven by a 5% surge in NIO Inc (HK:9866) and a 2.5% rise in Geely Automobile (HK:0175). South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.8%, with Hyundai Motor (KS:005380) up 1.7%. Futures tied to India’s Nifty 50 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.3%, with the latter poised to rally once trading resumes. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 advanced 0.9%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.4%.
Attention now turns to the Bank of Japan’s policy meeting, with rates expected to remain unchanged despite persistent inflation.
Meanwhile, China’s Shanghai Composite dipped 0.1% and the CSI 300 fell 0.2%, despite easing U.S.-China trade tensions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated ongoing communication with China, though Beijing denied recent talks. Chinese policymakers pledged to support businesses affected by tariffs but refrained from introducing fresh stimulus beyond March announcements. Investors await China's manufacturing data due Wednesday for further economic signals.
