Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Asian stock markets plunged on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East triggered a sharp rise in oil prices and fueled global risk aversion. Investor sentiment weakened after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran over the weekend, intensifying geopolitical uncertainty and prompting a shift toward safe-haven assets.
Major Asian indices posted broad losses. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 2.4%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.6%, weighed down by heavy selling in technology shares. Japan’s TOPIX also declined 1.6%. In mainland China, the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 slipped 0.6% and the Shanghai Composite lost 0.5%. Australia’s ASX 200 edged down 0.5%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index tumbled 1.8%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures fell 0.8%. U.S. stock futures also remained under pressure, reflecting continued global market volatility.
The weekend airstrikes, which reportedly killed hundreds including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, were followed by retaliatory attacks from Tehran targeting U.S. bases and regional sites. With both sides signaling further action, fears of prolonged conflict have heightened concerns about potential oil supply disruptions. Rising crude oil prices are adding to inflation risks across Asia, where many economies depend heavily on energy imports.
Technology stocks across the region extended losses amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence and increased competition within the software sector. Investors remain cautious about how AI-driven disruption could reshape earnings growth in 2026 and beyond.
Attention in China is turning to the upcoming “two sessions” political meetings, scheduled from March 4 to March 11, where policymakers are expected to outline priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan and introduce potential economic stimulus measures.
Meanwhile, stronger-than-expected U.S. producer inflation data has reinforced concerns about persistent inflation, potentially keeping U.S. interest rates elevated for longer. Markets are also reassessing monetary policy in Asia, with expectations shifting around potential moves by the Bank of Japan and the Reserve Bank of Australia amid evolving inflation trends.
