US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
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.
