Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Japan Finance Minister Defends PM Takaichi’s Remarks on Weak Yen Benefits 
ECB Signals Steady Interest Rates as Fed Risks Loom Over Outlook 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
Japan Declines Comment on BOJ’s Absence From Global Support Statement for Fed Chair Powell. Source: Asturio Cantabrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
Japan Services Sector Records Fastest Growth in Nearly a Year as Private Activity Accelerates 
Dollar Steady as Fed Nomination and Japanese Election Shape Currency Markets 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
Markets React as Tensions Rise Between White House and Federal Reserve Over Interest Rate Pressure 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
China Holds Loan Prime Rates Steady in January as Market Expectations Align 
Lots of economic dockets and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- New Zealand: ANZ commodity price index rose 2 percent in February.
- Japan: Markit services PMI marginally declined to 51.3 in February.
- China: Caixin services PMI for February marginally declines to 52.6
Upcoming:
- Japan: Consumer confidence index will be updated at 5:00 GMT.
- Germany: Retail sales details for January will be reported at 7:00 GMT, followed by the release of Markit services PMI report at 8:55 GMT.
- Spain: Markit services PMI report will be updated at 8:00 GMT, followed by the updating of house price index at 9:00 GMT.
- Italy: Markit services PMI report will be released at 8:45 GMT, followed by fourth quarter GDP at 9:00 GMT.
- France: Markit services PMI report will be published at 8:50 GMT
- Eurozone: Markit services PMI will be released at 9:00 GMT and retail sales report at 10:00 GMT.
- United Kingdom: Markit services PMI for February will be reported at 9:30 GMT.
- United States: Markit services PMI report will be released at 14:45 GMT, followed by ISM-non-manufacturing PMI at 15:00 GMT. Many FOMC speakers are scheduled today; Evans and Lacker at 15:15 GMT, Powell at 17:15 GMT, Fischer and Yellen at 18:00 GMT.
