Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
U.S. stocks tumbled Wednesday as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dashed hopes of imminent interest rate cuts and a tech-led selloff, driven by Nvidia, rattled markets. The S&P 500 dropped 2.2%, the Nasdaq plunged 3.1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 699 points, or 1.7%.
Powell warned the Fed remains focused on containing inflation, stating that tariff-induced price hikes must not evolve into sustained inflationary pressures. This stance contrasts with Fed Governor Christopher Waller's recent openness to rate cuts if tariffs significantly slow growth.
Tech stocks were hit hardest, led by Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), which sank over 6% after revealing a $5.5 billion revenue hit due to U.S. export restrictions on its H20 AI chip to China. The chip, previously cleared for Chinese sale, now faces stricter controls amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.
The news dragged down semiconductor stocks, with AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) forecasting an $800 million writeoff tied to similar curbs, sending its shares down more than 7%. ASML (AS:ASML) also flagged weaker Chinese demand, while Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), and TSMC (NYSE:TSM) also declined.
Outside tech, Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV) gained over 1% despite a 60% profit plunge tied to $2 billion in wildfire-related losses. Hertz (NASDAQ:HTZ) surged 56% following a sizable stake increase by Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman. Meanwhile, Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) slipped nearly 1% amid a £5 billion UK class action lawsuit over alleged search market dominance.
On the economic front, U.S. retail sales jumped 1.4% in March, fueled by auto purchases ahead of potential tariffs. Stronger sales prompted Jefferies to revise its Q1 GDP forecast from 0.6% to 1.0%, suggesting resilient consumer demand despite economic uncertainty.
