Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
Asian Stocks Slide as Nikkei Leads Losses on Tech Selloff and Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
U.S. stock index futures remained steady Tuesday evening following a positive session on Wall Street, as markets await President Donald Trump’s highly anticipated tariff announcement on April 2. S&P 500 Futures hovered at 5,672.0, Nasdaq 100 Futures stayed unchanged at 19,599.50, and Dow Jones Futures held firm at 42,236.0.
Investors are closely watching the White House’s planned rollout of reciprocal tariffs, which will take effect immediately, according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Dubbed “Liberation Day,” the move also includes a 25% tariff on auto imports starting April 3. Market participants remain cautious amid uncertainty surrounding potential retaliation and the overall scope of the measures.
Despite these concerns, U.S. stocks closed higher on Tuesday, driven by gains in major tech stocks. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, the NASDAQ added 0.9%, and the Dow Jones remained flat. Tesla (TSLA) jumped 3.6% ahead of its Q1 delivery report. NVIDIA (NVDA) rose 1.6%, Microsoft (MSFT) climbed 1.8%, Alphabet (GOOGL) added 1.5%, and Micron Technology (MU) advanced 2.1%.
Economic data reflected signs of a cooling economy. February’s JOLTS report showed job openings dropped to 7.57 million from January’s 7.76 million, suggesting softer labor demand. Meanwhile, the ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 49.0 in March from 50.3 in February—marking the first contraction this year. Readings below 50 signal shrinking manufacturing activity.
Analysts at ING noted growing concern over how tariffs might disrupt global supply chains, despite intentions to support U.S. manufacturing. With uncertainty looming over trade policy and weakening economic indicators, markets appear to be adopting a cautious, wait-and-see approach.
