China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S. stocks ended higher Friday, securing a second consecutive week of gains as strong jobs data and signs of a potential thaw in U.S.-China trade tensions lifted investor sentiment. The Dow Jones rose 564.47 points (1.39%) to 41,317.43, the S&P 500 added 82.54 points (1.47%) to 5,686.68, and the Nasdaq gained 266.99 points (1.51%) to 17,977.73.
April’s U.S. payrolls report showed 177,000 jobs added, exceeding forecasts and keeping unemployment steady at 4.2%. Despite earlier concerns stemming from a GDP contraction—triggered by a surge in tariff-related imports—the labor data signaled resilience. Strategists noted the slowdown in job growth was milder than expected post-tariff announcements.
Markets also reacted positively to news that Beijing is considering Washington’s offer to reopen trade talks after President Trump’s imposition of 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. While the trade war remains unresolved, the partial rollback of tariffs helped U.S. indexes rebound. The S&P 500 is now up 0.3% since Trump’s April 2 "Liberation Day" tariffs announcement, and both the S&P and Dow marked their longest winning streaks since 2004 and 2023, respectively.
Big tech delivered mixed performances. Apple fell 4% after cutting its buyback program and warning of $900 million in added costs from tariffs. Meta jumped 4.3%, Nvidia rose 2.6%, while Amazon dipped 0.1%. In energy, Chevron gained 1.6% and ExxonMobil edged up 0.4% on solid earnings.
Block plunged 20% on weak guidance, and Take-Two Interactive dropped 7% after delaying "Grand Theft Auto VI" to 2026. Advancers outpaced decliners by nearly 4-to-1 on the NYSE, reflecting broad market optimism. Trading volume was 16 billion shares, below the recent daily average.
