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Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
The Indian rupee is set to follow the dollar and Chinese yuan this week as global trade tensions escalate. It ended at 85.2350 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, marking a 0.3% weekly gain—its third straight rise—supported by a broadly weaker greenback amid U.S. growth slowdown concerns.
However, the dollar regained some ground on Friday after Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at a cautious stance on rate cuts, and U.S. job data exceeded expectations. Currency markets now shift focus to recent tariff escalations, with China imposing a 34% levy on all U.S. imports. Analysts expect the rupee to trade between 84.70 and 85.70 in the near term.
All eyes are on the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decision on April 9, with markets widely expecting a 25 basis point rate cut to 6.00%. The move could signal a shift to an accommodative stance as global trade friction threatens economic growth. February’s industrial production data, due Friday, will also be monitored for signs of economic resilience.
Meanwhile, the benchmark 10-year Indian bond yield dropped to 6.4630%, down 12 basis points—the largest weekly fall in over a year. The decline followed expectations of aggressive RBI easing and a new open market operation (OMO) plan aimed at ensuring surplus liquidity. Yields are expected to remain within 6.42%-6.50% until the RBI decision.
U.S. March CPI data, also due this week, could influence global markets as investors assess inflation trends amid trade uncertainties.
DBS Bank’s Radhika Rao expects the RBI to cut rates and shift its stance to support liquidity, leveraging the real rate cushion to aid transmission. Markets are closely watching policy cues and economic data to gauge the rupee’s next move.
