WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
China Manufacturing PMI Hits 12-Month High Amid Energy Price Concerns 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
South Korea's Exports Hit Record High in March on AI-Driven Chip Demand 
U.S. Stocks Surge on Iran War De-escalation Hopes 
Oil Prices Surge to Record Monthly Highs as Middle East War Rattles Global Markets 
Gold Prices Rebound in Asia Amid Iran War Ceasefire Hopes 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Tensions and BOJ Signals 
Asian Stocks Mixed in March 2026 Amid Iran War Fears and Tech Selloff 
Oil Prices Dip as Trump Eyes Iran De-escalation, Hormuz Closure Persists 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
U.S. Stock Futures Surge After WSJ Report on Trump's Iran War Exit Strategy 
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 4-Year High in March 2025 Driven by Semiconductor Demand 
RBC Capital: European Medtech Firms Show Minimal Middle East and Energy Risk Exposure 
Asian stock markets were volatile in early Friday trading as investors reacted to fresh signals from U.S. President Donald Trump on government funding and monetary policy, alongside mixed corporate earnings from major U.S. technology companies. The uncertainty weighed on risk sentiment even as global equities headed toward a strong monthly performance.
MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan moved between gains and losses before slipping 0.2%, extending the previous session’s decline while still on track for its best month in over three years. U.S. equity futures pointed lower, with S&P 500 e-mini futures down 0.4% and Nasdaq e-mini futures falling 0.5%, reflecting ongoing concerns about technology valuations and artificial intelligence investments.
Market focus sharpened after Trump endorsed a bipartisan deal aimed at avoiding another U.S. government shutdown and confirmed he has decided on a nominee to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. These developments pushed the U.S. dollar higher, with the dollar index rising 0.3%, while the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.263% as traders assessed the implications for interest rates. Fed funds futures currently imply an 86.6% probability that the Federal Reserve will keep rates unchanged at its March meeting.
On Wall Street, stocks fell on Thursday after disappointing results from Microsoft reignited doubts about the profitability of heavy AI spending. Microsoft shares plunged 10%, erasing more than $350 billion in market value, while Meta surged 10% as its AI-driven advertising outlook impressed investors. Apple also boosted sentiment by forecasting up to 16% revenue growth for the March quarter, helped by strong iPhone demand and a rebound in China.
In commodities, precious metals retreated after a volatile session, with gold down 0.7% and silver slightly lower as traders unwound extended positions. Oil prices eased, with WTI crude slipping below $65 amid geopolitical concerns following new U.S. measures targeting countries trading oil with Cuba. Cryptocurrencies also weakened, with Bitcoin and ether both posting losses as broader risk appetite softened.
