U.S. Crude Oil Exports Surge Toward Record Highs Amid Global Supply Crisis 
Japan Eyes Private Credit as Key Pillar in New Financial Strategy 
Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments Resume Amid U.S.-Iran War Tensions 
Bank of Japan's Ueda Flags Low Real Interest Rates as Key Factor in Rate Hike Timing 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as S&P 500 and Nasdaq Reach Record Highs 
U.S.-Iran War Talks Resume Amid Economic Pressure and Ceasefire Uncertainty 
China's Economy Surpasses Q1 2026 Growth Forecasts 
China's Economy Shows Resilience Amid Global Headwinds in March 
Asia Markets Rally on Iran Optimism, Strong U.S. Earnings 
U.S. and Philippines to Build 4,000-Acre Tech Hub Under Pax Silica Initiative 
Australia's Job Market Holds Firm in March 2026 with Strong Full-Time Hiring 
Chile's Kast Unveils 40-Point Economic Reform Package to Boost Growth 
Singapore's Non-Oil Domestic Exports Surge 15.3% in March 2026 on AI Demand 
S&P Cuts ASX Credit Rating Amid Governance and Risk Management Concerns 
Asian Stocks Rally on Tech Gains and U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Hopes 
China's New Home Prices Continue to Fall in March Despite Signs of Recovery in Major Cities 
Middle East Ceasefire Hopes Lift Asian Markets as Oil Prices Retreat 
Wall Street ended the week on a strong note Friday, with major U.S. stock indexes climbing sharply as expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in December gained momentum. The rebound helped ease concerns about stretched tech valuations after a turbulent week for global markets.
A broad market rally picked up speed by late morning, lifting the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 493.30 points to 46,245.56. The S&P 500 advanced 0.98% to 6,602.96, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.88% to close at 22,273.08.
The surge followed fresh U.S. labor market data, which showed an unexpected uptick in unemployment—a signal that strengthened the market’s confidence in a potential Fed rate cut. According to CME’s FedWatch tool, traders now see a 73.3% chance of a December cut, up from 39.1% just a day earlier.
Comments from New York Fed President John Williams also boosted sentiment. Once viewed as leaning hawkish, his openness to near-term rate cuts shifted market perception toward a more dovish outlook. Analysts say this helped spark Friday’s strong rebound after Thursday’s broad selloff.
Tech stocks also provided support. Strong earnings from AI-driven leaders like Nvidia helped calm fears that the sector’s rapid gains were unsustainable. With nearly all S&P 500 companies having reported third-quarter results, about 83% have beaten earnings expectations, according to LSEG data.
Global markets were more mixed. European stocks fell for the week amid worries about high tech valuations and optimism around Russia-Ukraine peace efforts, which dragged defense shares lower. Asian markets also slipped, with Japan’s Nikkei dropping 2.40%.
In currencies, the dollar steadied but weakened against the yen as Japanese officials increased efforts to curb the yen’s slide. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies tumbled, with bitcoin falling to multi-month lows.
U.S. Treasury yields dipped as rate-cut bets strengthened, and oil prices fell to a one-month low on developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace push. Gold also edged lower, with spot prices ending at $4,065.29 an ounce.
