Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Oil prices rose on Thursday amid growing concerns of supply tightening after the U.S. imposed new sanctions to restrict Iranian oil exports and several OPEC members pledged to cut output to address overproduction.
Brent crude futures gained 0.5% to $66.19 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.7% to $62.91. Both benchmarks closed 2% higher on Wednesday, reaching their highest levels since April 3, and are on pace for their first weekly gain in three weeks. Markets close early this week ahead of Good Friday and Easter holidays.
The Biden administration’s latest sanctions targeted Iranian oil shipments, including a Chinese “teapot” refinery, signaling intensified pressure on Tehran amid rising nuclear tensions. Meanwhile, OPEC announced on Wednesday that Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other members submitted revised plans to reduce output after previously exceeding quotas.
Although some analysts downplayed the impact of Iranian production and OPEC compliance, these developments contributed to a more bullish sentiment. Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo, noted that despite skepticism, both issues influenced market optimism. He also pointed to strong U.S. gasoline and distillate drawdowns and a smaller-than-expected build in crude stockpiles as supportive factors.
Concerns about a possible glut of U.S. oil have eased, with declining refining activity suggesting potential bottlenecks in supply, McCarthy added.
However, downside risks remain. OPEC, the International Energy Agency (IEA), Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan all cut their forecasts for oil prices and demand growth this week. Escalating trade tensions from new U.S. tariffs and retaliatory actions have disrupted global markets, leading the World Trade Organization to slash its 2025 global trade growth forecast from 3.0% to -0.2%.
