US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
China Exports Surge 25% in August as Trade Surplus Hits $119 Billion 
Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Assets as U.S. Tensions Escalate 
Iran Plans New Gulf Restricted Zone as Hormuz Tensions Push Oil Higher 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
US Bans Canadian Alcohol, Motorcycles as Trade War Escalates 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
European Stocks Flat as Iran Tensions, ECB Rate Hike Loom 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
China Inflation Accelerates in August as CPI, PPI Rise 
Oil Prices Climb as Iran Threatens Gulf Energy Infrastructure 
Japanese Yen Nears Seven-Month High as Oil Approaches $100 
China to Inject $45 Billion Into State Financial Institutions 
Oil Prices Rally as Brent Nears $100 on U.S.-Iran Escalation 
China Boosts Gold Reserves by 650,000 Ounces as Prices Rally 
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Most Asian stocks fell on Friday, extending losses as investor anxiety grew over U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff plans. Japanese markets led regional declines, with the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX sinking over 2% after Tokyo’s hotter-than-expected CPI data fueled speculation of a near-term Bank of Japan rate hike.
Auto and tech stocks were hit hardest. Shares of Toyota and Honda tumbled nearly 5%, extending losses from Thursday after Trump announced 25% tariffs on autos. In South Korea, Hyundai dropped 4.2%, while chipmaker SK Hynix slid 3.5%. Taiwan’s TSMC dipped 0.9%, and Hon Hai Precision plunged 3.4%. The broader tech sector faced pressure on fears of oversupply in AI data centers, especially after Microsoft reportedly canceled several data center leases.
Wall Street’s weak performance overnight, driven by tariff concerns and ahead of more duties set for April 2, set a negative tone for Asian markets. U.S. stock index futures traded flat in Asia, with investors eyeing upcoming PCE data for inflation cues.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI lost 1.7%, mirroring Japan’s tech-led downturn. In China, the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 edged down 0.4% and 0.2% respectively, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 0.3% but remained on track to recover weekly losses. Despite Friday’s dip, Chinese stocks have outperformed in 2025 amid optimism over AI growth and Beijing’s policy support.
Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.2% ahead of next week’s RBA meeting, where rates are expected to remain unchanged. Singapore’s Straits Times index edged up 0.1% after recent record highs. Indian Nifty 50 futures pointed to a flat open. Investors now await China’s March PMI data on Monday for further direction.
