U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
UK industrial production for the month of March remained below expectations at 0.3 pct, against 0.5 pct expected, though an improvement from February’s figure of a decline of 0.2 pct. However, manufacturing output rose by 0.1 pct, a slight rebound post previous month’s decline of 1.1 pct.
Further, oil production fell by 0.4 pct while utilities output rose sharply, possibly reflecting unseasonal weather trends. While the data show a modest pickup in manufacturing activity towards the end of Q1, the overall level is still low enough to suggest that it will probably make little contribution to GDP growth in Q1, Lloyds bank reported.
The recent weakening in the sterling effective exchange is still consistent with some pick up in manufacturing output in coming months but it appears at least for now that GDP growth will remain overwhelmingly services driven.
"Moreover, given signs that service sector growth slowed during Q1, we expect only a modest rise in GDP in Q2 of 0.3%," Lloyds Bank said in a research note.
