South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Steady in Asia but Headed for Weekly Loss on Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Global stocks fell for the first time in three sessions on Wednesday as renewed tariff concerns weighed on investor sentiment. The U.S. dollar climbed, and Wall Street saw a sharp sell-off led by tech stocks, ahead of a press conference from President Donald Trump, who confirmed incoming auto tariffs.
The Dow Jones fell 132.71 points (0.31%) to 42,454.79, the S&P 500 dropped 64.45 points (1.12%) to 5,712.20, and the Nasdaq plunged 372.84 points (2.04%) to 17,899.02. The declines ended a three-day winning streak and put U.S. indexes on track for back-to-back monthly losses for the first time since October 2023.
Durable goods orders unexpectedly rose 0.9% in February, driven by a rush to secure metals ahead of expected tariffs, defying forecasts of a 1% drop. Trump also announced 25% secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Venezuelan oil.
Investor confidence remains shaky. “The likelihood that April 2 will bring policy clarity is low,” said Matt Stucky of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management, suggesting more trade-related headlines are likely.
The dollar index rose 0.33% to 104.56, with the euro slipping to $1.0751 and the yen weakening to 150.55 per dollar. Sterling dropped to $1.2885 after UK inflation data missed expectations and the finance minister scaled back spending plans.
MSCI’s global stock index fell 0.92% to 845.65, while Europe’s STOXX 600 shed 0.7%, despite optimism around German stimulus measures.
U.S. 10-year Treasury yields climbed to 4.333% amid strong demand for five-year notes. Fed officials reiterated caution on rate cuts due to economic uncertainty.
Oil prices rose, with U.S. crude up 0.94% to $69.65 and Brent gaining 1.05% to $73.79, supported by falling inventories and concerns over global supply amid U.S. threats of sanctions on Venezuelan crude buyers.
