Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Wall Street closed sharply lower Friday, led by steep declines in tech giants like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), amid growing concerns over high inflation and slowing economic growth. The S&P 500 dropped 1.97% to 5,580.94, while the Nasdaq plummeted 2.70% to 17,322.99, and the Dow fell 1.69% to 41,583.90.
U.S. economic data showed consumer spending rose less than expected in February, while core inflation surged the most in over a year. The University of Michigan’s consumer survey also revealed inflation expectations at their highest in nearly 2.5 years. Fears are mounting that escalating tariffs under President Trump will drive up costs on imports, worsen inflation, and prevent the Federal Reserve from cutting rates. Fed funds futures now price in a 76% chance of a rate cut by June, according to CME FedWatch.
Tech stocks were hit hardest, with Amazon falling 4.3%, Microsoft down 3%, and Apple shedding 2.7%. Ten of the S&P 500’s 11 sectors declined, with communication services and consumer discretionary leading losses. CoreWeave, an Nvidia-backed AI company, slumped in its Nasdaq debut, while Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU) plunged 14% after lowering its annual outlook due to tariff uncertainties.
Auto stocks continued to slide, with General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford posting losses amid looming 25% tariffs on imports. Meanwhile, gold miners Harmony and Gold Fields surged on safe-haven demand.
For the week, the S&P 500 declined 1.5%, the Nasdaq 2.6%, and the Dow 1%. With a fresh round of tariffs expected April 2, investor sentiment remains fragile. The S&P 500 is now down 9% from its February high, with the Nasdaq off 14% from its December peak.
