Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip After CPI-Fueled Rally as Markets Weigh Economic Uncertainty 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Thursday, driven by softer U.S. inflation data that reinforced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,945.18 per ounce, while April gold futures gained 0.2% to $2,953.62 an ounce.
The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2% in February, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.8%, below the expected 2.9% and down from January’s 3.0%. This cooling inflation strengthened market expectations for three rate cuts in 2025, with the first anticipated in June. Lower interest rates typically boost gold’s appeal by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets. Investors are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s upcoming March 18-19 meeting for further guidance.
Gold’s safe-haven demand also increased as former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened fresh tariffs on EU goods in response to planned counter-tariffs. This followed the U.S.’s 25% tariff on steel and aluminum, escalating trade tensions. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. imports. The U.S. Dollar Index remained near a four-month low, adding to gold’s attractiveness.
Other precious metals struggled, with platinum futures down 0.7% to $990.10 an ounce and silver futures dipping 0.4% to $33.593 an ounce. Meanwhile, copper prices fell after Trump hinted at adding the red metal to trade protections, with April copper futures slipping 0.2% to $4.8340 a pound.
Amid inflation concerns and rising trade tensions, gold remains a key asset for investors seeking stability, with market focus shifting to the Fed’s upcoming policy decision.
