South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
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 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
The European Central Bank is expected to adopt further policy easing in June, with more stimulus measures likely in September, after it had cut rates in March this year. However, the ECB kept monetary policy unchanged in April, largely to implement other measures announced in March.
The March policy meet witnessed, alongside a rate cut, measures to increase the monthly pace of asset purchases to €80 billion (with corporate bond purchases from June) and preparations for a new funding programme for banks (TLTRO II) to incentivize lending.
Growth figures witnessed an upswing with Eurozone Q1 GDP surprisingly strong at 0.6 pct on quarter, supported by boost in domestic demand. Annual headline inflation fell in to negative territory in April, as per the CB’s expectations, to 0.2 pct.
"Growth outperformed both the US and UK, but we expect it to slow in Q2," said Lloyds Bank in a recent report.
In addition, ECB President Mario Draghi said that it will require time and patience to witness the impact of policy stimulus measures on inflation. However, it will remain concerned about the extent of the decline in core inflation (excluding food and energy) which fell back to a one-year
low of 0.7 pct in April.
"We have maintained our forecasts for German 2yr and 10yr bund yields at -0.5 pct and 0.3 pct
respectively, by the year end, with risks to the downside if the anticipated start of the recovery in inflation later in the year fails to materialize," said Lloyds Bank in a research note.
