Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index is on the brink of correction territory, tumbling 9.8% from its all-time high on February 14, driven by escalating trade tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs.
As of 03:20 GMT, the benchmark index dipped 0.2% to 7,772.5 points, extending its downward trend. On Wednesday, it briefly entered correction territory, plunging 1.6% to its lowest level since September 2024 before rebounding slightly. March losses have now hit nearly 5%, following a 4.2% drop in February, marking four consecutive weeks of declines.
The downturn follows Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, effective Wednesday. Australia, which had hoped for an exemption, was left disappointed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the move as "entirely unjustified" and a blow to the long-standing alliance between the two nations.
The tariffs are stoking fears of rising costs for Australian exporters and broader economic disruptions. Investors are increasingly wary, with market sentiment deteriorating amid global trade uncertainties.
With mounting losses and no immediate relief in sight, all eyes remain on how policymakers and market forces will navigate this escalating economic challenge.
