Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Oil Prices Fall as Iran Peace Talks Progress, Hormuz Reopens, and U.S. SPR Hits 1983 Low 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian stocks fell on Thursday, dragged down by renewed trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% auto tariff set to take effect on April 2. The move sparked fears of escalating trade conflicts, especially with additional tariffs expected to follow.
Japan and South Korea led regional losses, hit hard by declines in automakers and tech stocks. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1%, while South Korea’s KOSPI shed 1%. Major automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai fell between 2.6% and 3.8%, despite Hyundai’s recent $21 billion investment in U.S. operations.
Technology and chipmaking stocks mirrored losses on Wall Street as concerns mounted over a potential oversupply in AI data infrastructure. Shares of major suppliers like TSMC, Hon Hai, and SK Hynix slipped up to 2.4%. Japan’s Advantest plunged nearly 7%. These losses followed reports that Microsoft canceled several data center leases, raising fears of weakened AI-driven demand.
In contrast, Chinese stocks remained relatively stable. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 posted slight gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.3%, lifted by local tech optimism. Recent AI advancements from Tencent, Baidu, and DeepSeek boosted sentiment in China, helping decouple Hong Kong tech from global headwinds.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.5% amid concerns over commodity tariffs, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.5% to a record high as investors shifted to financials. Indian markets looked to open flat after recent gains stalled.
Overall, markets remain cautious ahead of April 2, when further clarity on U.S. tariffs is expected. Investors are also eyeing upcoming economic data and stimulus signals from Beijing.
