Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Iron ore futures fell for the sixth consecutive session on Monday as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions weighed on market sentiment. However, stronger-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data helped limit losses.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) dropped 0.75% to 796 yuan ($109.32) per metric ton by 0254 GMT, touching a session low of 788 yuan—the weakest since January 16. On the Singapore Exchange, benchmark March iron ore dipped 0.15% to $103.1 per ton.
Investor concerns grew after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Mexico proposed matching U.S. tariffs on China. This followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports and plans to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from March 4. The move threatens China's $7 billion transshipment steel market, further pressuring its struggling steel sector.
Despite trade frictions, China’s factory activity expanded in February, driven by improved supply, demand, and export orders, according to a private-sector survey. Official PMI data released Saturday also showed the fastest manufacturing growth in three months, reinforcing confidence that economic stimulus measures are supporting recovery amid sluggish demand and a weak property sector.
Other steelmaking commodities on the DCE gained, with coking coal up 1.46% and coke rising 1.31%. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also advanced, with rebar and stainless steel climbing 0.3%, hot-rolled coil up nearly 0.6%, and wire rod increasing 0.54%.
As trade tensions persist, the iron ore market remains volatile, with investors closely monitoring global policy shifts and China's economic resilience.
