Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Japan’s core inflation rose in March, driven by persistent food cost increases, complicating the Bank of Japan’s (BOJ) path toward further rate hikes amid growing concerns over U.S. trade tariffs. The core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food prices but includes energy, climbed 3.2% year-on-year, up from 3% in February and in line with market expectations.
This marks the 36th consecutive month that core inflation has exceeded the BOJ’s 2% target, reflecting sustained pricing pressure as firms pass on higher raw material and labor costs. A separate index excluding both fresh food and fuel, closely tracked by the BOJ for underlying inflation trends, also accelerated to 2.9% from 2.6%.
Consumers are facing broad-based price increases, including surging costs for gasoline, hotel stays, and everyday items like chocolate. Notably, rice prices skyrocketed by 92.5% compared to the same period last year, highlighting the inflationary squeeze on households.
The inflation uptick arrives just ahead of the BOJ’s upcoming policy meeting, where the central bank is expected to keep its interest rate at 0.5% while cutting its growth forecast due to escalating trade tensions. President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariffs, including 25% levies on key Japanese exports such as automobiles, steel, and aluminum, have raised fears of a broader economic slowdown.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato expressed “deep concern” over the potential impact on Japan’s and the global economy, warning of heightened uncertainty. While BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled a willingness to continue gradual rate hikes, he acknowledged the growing risks posed by U.S. trade policy.
Despite a 90-day delay on wider tariffs, market volatility and recession fears could force the BOJ to proceed with caution in its tightening cycle.
