Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil prices edged up in early Monday trade, supported by short-covering despite lingering uncertainty over U.S.-China trade talks and potential increases in OPEC+ supply. Brent crude rose 9 cents to $66.96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 9 cents to $63.11 by 0025 GMT.
Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia, noted that "the absence of fresh news is pushing oil prices modestly higher" as traders brace for possible OPEC+ output hikes at the May 5 meeting and rising U.S. production. Some OPEC+ members are expected to propose accelerating production increases for a second straight month, adding to fears of oversupply.
Last week, Brent and WTI fell over 1% due to concerns that tariffs and a sluggish global economy could weaken fuel demand. Market sentiment remains shaky amid conflicting signals between U.S. President Donald Trump and Beijing regarding the progress of trade negotiations. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday declined to confirm Trump’s claims of ongoing talks, while China also denied any discussions.
Adding to geopolitical tensions, nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. continue this week in Oman. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed caution over the talks' prospects. Meanwhile, a massive explosion at Iran’s key port, Bandar Abbas, killed at least 40 and injured more than 1,200, intensifying regional instability.
In a separate development, U.S. officials urged Russia and Ukraine to advance peace talks following President Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Vatican.
