Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Iron ore futures edged lower on Wednesday as escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China pressured prices. However, optimism over rising Chinese steel demand helped cushion the decline.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) fell 0.7% to 776 yuan ($106.76) per metric ton as of 0249 GMT. The benchmark April iron ore contract on the Singapore Exchange dropped 1.07% to $99.75 per ton.
Market sentiment weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods to 20% took effect Tuesday. In response, Beijing imposed higher import levies on $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products, suspended soybean import licenses for three American firms, and halted log imports. The potential for further tariffs weighed on investor confidence, with additional U.S. duties on steel and aluminum set to begin on March 12.
Despite trade concerns, China maintained its economic growth target at around 5% and boosted stimulus efforts to counter rising tariffs. A private-sector survey showed China’s services sector expanded slightly in February, driven by increased demand.
China’s iron ore supply and demand are expected to strengthen in March, typically a peak season for steel consumption. According to Chinese consultancy Mysteel, this could keep iron ore prices stable despite market volatility. Meanwhile, Beijing announced plans to restructure its struggling steel industry by enforcing production cuts.
Most steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange slipped, with rebar down 0.27%, hot-rolled coil falling 0.24%, and stainless steel declining 0.35%. Other steelmaking materials also weakened, with coking coal and coke prices dropping 2.19% and 1.82%, respectively.
While trade uncertainties persist, strong Chinese steel demand and supply constraints may support iron ore prices in the coming months.
