Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
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 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Japan’s annual wholesale inflation reached 4.0% in February, reflecting rising raw material costs and reinforcing market expectations of a near-term interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ). The corporate goods price index (CGPI), which tracks the prices businesses charge each other, matched market forecasts but slowed slightly from January’s 4.2% increase.
Bank of Japan data showed yen-based import prices declined 0.7% in February after rising 2.3% in January, highlighting fluctuating cost pressures. The BOJ had ended its decade-long ultra-loose monetary policy last year, raising short-term interest rates from 0.25% to 0.5% in January, signaling a shift toward tightening.
With consumer inflation surpassing the BOJ’s 2% target for nearly three years, policymakers have indicated a willingness to raise rates further if economic recovery remains stable. Investors are closely watching for signals on future monetary policy moves, as sustained inflation and economic resilience could prompt additional hikes.
Japan’s inflation trend continues to shape expectations for financial markets, businesses, and households. The BOJ’s stance on interest rates remains a focal point, with any further increases likely to impact lending, investment, and overall economic growth.
