New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
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.
