Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
New Zealand Fast-Tracks Gold Mining as Industry Revival Gains Momentum 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Japan Keeps Markets Guessing as Yen Nears 40-Year Low, Raising Intervention Risks 
US Stock Futures Recover as Iran Signals Progress in Peace Talks 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.8% to 37,096.51 by midday Tuesday, its lowest level since September 18, as investors grew cautious ahead of new U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The Topix index dropped 1.2% to 2,696.99, with market sentiment further dampened by a stronger yen and underperformance in exporters and tech stocks.
The yen strengthened to its highest level since early December after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Japan and China against currency devaluation, calling it unfair to the U.S. The stronger yen weighed on major exporters like Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM), down 2.2%, while Fast Retailing fell 2.6% and SoftBank Group (TYO: 9984) slid 5.2%. Seven & i Holdings tumbled 10.2%, adding to the market downturn.
Technology stocks struggled as well, with Advantest plunging 6.2% amid concerns over U.S. growth and tariff impacts. Analysts noted similarities to last summer’s market turmoil, when the Nikkei plunged due to a rising yen and U.S. recession fears.
Wall Street’s major indexes closed sharply lower Monday after Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, alongside an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The impact rippled through global markets, fueling volatility in Japan.
The Nikkei Volatility Index surged to 31.6, its highest since early November, following the U.S. presidential election. Analysts suggest Japan’s policymakers may remain hawkish on yen movements, limiting hopes for intervention.
As trade tensions escalate and economic uncertainty looms, investors remain wary of further downside risks in Japan’s stock market.
