Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
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.
