Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Panasonic Corp forecasts its operating profit to surge by 27.6 percent to 330 billion yen this business year as economic recovery triggers increased demand for equipment and components, including automotive batteries used by Tesla.
The average forecast for Panasonic based on estimates from 16 analysts is 327.56 billion yen.
The Japanese manufacturer is looking to tap growing demand for electric car batteries in key markets such as the US and China through its partnership with Tesla Inc., which accounts for around 40 percent of automotive battery purchases.
Panasonic expects its automotive unit to post 50 billion yen in operating profit this business year, according to the company’s CFO Hirokazu Umeda.
The Japanese industrial conglomerate will also begin a test line to make large cylindrical 4680 format battery cells this business year.
According to Tesla, the format could store more energy, halve battery costs, and help increase battery production 100-fold by 2030.
Panasonic is also investing heavily in new production chain management services. Last month, the company announced that it would acquire more shares of US supply-chain software company Blue Yonder in a $7.1 billion deal.
For the March 31-ending quarter, Panasonic posted an operating profit of 31.8 billion yen, down 40 percent from a year ago due to weaker earnings of its unit that sells lighting, equipment, and materials for buildings.
That result surpassed the 20.99 billion yen average profit estimates from five analysts surveyed by Refinitiv.
