South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% Wednesday, buoyed by a tech sector rebound after softer-than-expected inflation data. The Nasdaq 100 jumped 1.2%, with NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) surging 8% as investors capitalized on the recent dip. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also added 0.4%.
Cooling inflation eased stagflation concerns, with U.S. consumer prices rising 2.8% year-over-year in February, down from 3.0% in January, and monthly CPI slowing to 0.2% from 0.5%. Core CPI, excluding food and fuel, also decelerated to 3.1% annually and 0.2% monthly, both below estimates. Analysts suggest the Federal Reserve will maintain its patient stance at next week’s meeting.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s expanded steel and aluminum tariffs took effect, prompting retaliatory measures from the EU, which plans new tariffs on U.S. exports next month. Trump threatened further tariffs on EU car imports, while Canada announced 25% reciprocal tariffs on C$30 billion in U.S. goods. However, Ontario later dropped the measure, leading Trump to ease his stance.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) shares rose over 4% on reports that TSMC (NYSE:TSM) is exploring a joint venture with Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Qualcomm to operate Intel’s struggling U.S. foundry business. The deal, which requires approval from Trump, would see TSMC take operational control but not a majority stake.
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) gained over 1% after the Federal Trade Commission sought a two-month delay in its lawsuit alleging deceptive Prime sign-ups.
With tech stocks rebounding and inflation cooling, investors are closely watching the Fed's next move amid ongoing trade tensions.
