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UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
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Gold Prices Slip as Oil Rally Fuels Inflation Fears, Strengthens Dollar 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Oil Prices Set for Weekly Surge as U.S.-Iran Conflict Fuels Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
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.
