Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Japan’s Rising Inflation Strengthens Case for a Near-Term BOJ Rate Hike 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
UK Raises Deposit Protection Limit to £120,000 to Strengthen Saver Confidence 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Brazil Central Bank Plans $2 Billion Dollar Auctions to Support FX Liquidity 
Japan’s Inflation Edges Higher in October as BOJ Faces Growing Pressure to Hike Rates 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
European stock markets tumbled Friday following the European Central Bank's latest rate cut and concerns over U.S. trade policy shifts. At 09:03 GMT, the Stoxx 600 fell 0.9%, Germany’s DAX dropped 1.5%, France’s CAC 40 slipped 1.0%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 dipped 0.4%.
The ECB cut interest rates for the sixth time since June, signaling that monetary policy is becoming less restrictive as inflation nears its 2% target. However, ECB President Christine Lagarde remained cautious, stating future moves could include further cuts or a pause. Nomura economists noted a slightly hawkish tone, now expecting just one rate cut this year instead of two.
Adding to economic concerns, German industrial orders fell 7% in January, reversing December’s surge driven by increased demand for aircraft, ships, and military vehicles. Meanwhile, Germany's potential new government coalition plans to reform borrowing rules to increase defense and infrastructure spending.
Investors also reacted to fluctuating U.S. trade policies. President Donald Trump initially imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods while raising Chinese tariffs to 20%. However, he later delayed the North American tariffs until April 2, adding to market volatility. Traders are now eyeing U.S. jobs data and a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for further policy direction.
Oil prices rose slightly Friday, with Brent at $69.63 and WTI at $66.48 per barrel. Despite this, both benchmarks are on track for their biggest weekly losses since October, dropping nearly 5% due to uncertainty around U.S. trade policy and increased production from major oil producers.
Market sentiment remains fragile as global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and shifting monetary policies continue to impact investor confidence.
