Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
U.S. stock futures held steady Sunday evening after a volatile February, as investors weighed upcoming tariffs and economic data. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures each rose 0.1%, while Dow Jones futures remained flat.
The market remains cautious ahead of new tariffs set to take effect on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that President Donald Trump will finalize tariff levels on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. While an initial 25% tariff was proposed, Trump is expected to raise an additional 10% tariff on China. February’s market losses were largely driven by concerns over these tariffs and shifting expectations in the tech sector, especially around artificial intelligence. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 4% in February, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones down 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively.
Economic data suggests the U.S. economy started 2025 on weak footing. Despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 100 basis points last year, inflation remained persistent. The PCE price index rose 0.3% in January, marking a 2.5% annual increase, slightly below December’s 2.6%. Core inflation slowed to 2.6% year-over-year. However, consumer sentiment declined 0.2%, its first drop in two years, due to inflation and tariff concerns.
The Atlanta Federal Reserve now forecasts 1.5% annualized GDP growth for Q1 2025, down from 2.3% in Q4 2024. Analysts warn that Trump’s trade policies are impacting consumer confidence and spending. The combination of trade uncertainty, slowing growth, and persistent inflation is shaping a complex economic landscape for investors.
