Australia Eases Capital Gains Tax Reforms to Support Small Businesses and Startups 
German Auto Suppliers Turn Bearish as Investment and Jobs Shift Overseas 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Eases Supply Concerns 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Dollar Surges After Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Potential Tightening Ahead 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Trump and Iran Sign Framework Peace Deal in France Amid Ongoing Middle East Tensions 
Asian Currencies Steady as Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Fed Decision and US-Iran Deal Details 
Asian Stocks Rally as Japan and South Korea Reach Record Highs on US-Iran Peace Deal 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
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.
