U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
U.S. stock index futures rose on Sunday evening after reports suggested President Donald Trump's upcoming April 2 tariff rollout will be narrower and less aggressive than previously feared, providing some relief to anxious investors.
According to Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, Trump is expected to scale back plans for sweeping sectoral tariffs. Key industries such as automobiles, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and major commodities will likely be excluded. Additionally, proposed reciprocal tariffs will be limited to about 15 countries with significant trade imbalances with the U.S., each receiving specific tariffs based on individual trade relationships.
Futures climbed in response, reflecting renewed investor confidence. S&P 500 Futures gained 0.6% to 5,751.0 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.7% to 20,102.75, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.5% to 42,519.0 by 20:00 ET (00:00 GMT).
Wall Street had shown signs of recovery last week after dipping to six-month lows in early March, driven by concerns over inflation and trade disruptions due to tariffs. While uncertainty remains, especially regarding major U.S. trade partners, the softened approach has eased fears of economic fallout.
President Trump has dubbed April 2 “liberation day,” signaling a shift in trade policy. However, recent reversals on tariffs for Canada and Mexico hint at a more calculated strategy aimed at minimizing damage to the U.S. economy.
Markets closed mostly flat Friday, with the S&P 500 up 0.1% to 5,667.56, the NASDAQ rising 0.5% to 17,784.05, and the Dow Jones edging up 0.1% to 41,985.35.
Investors now turn their attention to upcoming Fed speeches and key economic data, including March PMI and revised Q4 GDP, for further direction on the U.S. outlook.
