Oil Prices Slip as Strait of Hormuz Disruptions and U.S. Inventory Data Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Cautious Policy Amid Inflation and Middle East Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
BOJ Rate Hike Expectations Grow as Board Member Signals Hawkish Stance 
ECB Rate Outlook: Ceasefire Eases Pressure but Hikes Still Expected in 2026 
Wall Street Futures Rise Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit as Tech Stocks Lead Market Rally 
Gold Prices Steady Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting as Inflation and Oil Concerns Persist 
Trump and Xi Temple of Heaven Visit Highlights Trade and Diplomacy Goals 
US-China Trade Talks Begin in South Korea Ahead of Trump-Xi Beijing Summit 
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda Hints at Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Build 
Lots of economic dockets and events scheduled for today and some with high volatility risks associated.
Data released so far:
- Australia: Trade balance for February came at 3.574 billion. RBA kept interest rates steady at 1.5 percent.
Upcoming:
- Spain: Unemployment change for March will be reported at 7:00 GMT.
- Italy: Fourth quarter debt to GDP ratio would be published at 8:00 GMT, followed by wage inflation report at 9:00 GMT.
- Eurozone: February retail sales report will be released at 10:00 GMT.
- United States: February trade balance will be reported at 12:30 GMT, followed by ISM New York index at 13:45 GMT and Factory orders at 14:00 GMT. TIPP economic optimism numbers will also be published at 14:00 GMT. Fed’s Tarullo is scheduled to speak at 20:30 GMT.
- New Zealand: Global dairy auction is scheduled today.
- United Kingdom: BRC shop price inflation will be reported at 23:00 GMT.
- Australia: AiG performance of services index will be updated at 23:30 GMT.
- Auction: U.S. will auction 1-month bills at 15:30 GMT. Spain will auction 6-month and 12-month bonds today.
