South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
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 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
The U.S. dollar held steady Wednesday ahead of a crucial Federal Reserve policy meeting, with investors cautious amid an uncertain economic outlook and renewed capital outflows from Asian markets. News of upcoming U.S.-China trade talks, set for Saturday in Switzerland, helped ease fears of an escalating trade war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and trade chief Jamieson Greer will meet China’s top economic official, following hints from President Trump about potential trade deals this week.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to signal that more economic data is needed before making any policy moves. While the Fed is anticipated to keep rates unchanged, markets are split on whether cuts will resume by July or be delayed due to persistent inflation concerns.
Currency markets showed signs of stabilization following extreme volatility. Taiwan’s dollar, which had surged over 10% after Trump’s tariff announcement on April 2, weakened slightly by 0.65%. The Korean won touched a six-month high before retreating, while the Chinese yuan softened after China’s central bank announced its first reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cut of 2025 to support growth.
The U.S. dollar index remained flat after three consecutive daily losses, while the euro dipped 0.2% to $1.1340 after Friedrich Merz’s election as Germany’s chancellor. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen weakened 0.4% following a holiday, and the Hong Kong dollar hovered near the strong end of its trading band.
Analysts at Deutsche Bank warned that sharp currency shifts, like those in Taiwan, could ripple across markets with large unhedged dollar positions. Japan, with $2 trillion invested in U.S. assets via pension and insurance firms, remains highly exposed. A stronger yen could erode returns, pressuring Japan’s institutional investors.
