South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Starmer’s China Visit Signals New Era in UK–China Economic Relations 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Philippine Economy Slows in Late 2025, Raising Expectations of Further Rate Cuts 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
Gold Prices Pull Back After Record Highs as January Rally Remains Strong 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
UK Housing Market Gains Momentum in Early 2026 as Mortgage Rates Fall 
Gold Prices Hit Record High Above $5,500 as Iran Strike Fears Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reassured markets that the economy remains strong. However, lingering trade policy uncertainty led to Wall Street’s biggest weekly decline in months.
Powell signaled that the Fed won’t rush to cut interest rates, citing economic stability but also expressing concerns over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Market volatility surged throughout the week as investors reacted to trade tensions involving Canada, Mexico, and China.
The S&P 500 suffered its worst weekly loss since September, declining 3.1%, while the Nasdaq fell 3.45% and the Dow dropped 2.37%. The Russell 2000 Small Cap index slid 3.86%. The Nasdaq also confirmed a 10% drop from its December high, marking a technical correction.
Stocks initially dipped on Friday but rebounded following Powell’s remarks. The Dow gained 222.64 points (0.52%) to close at 42,801.72, the S&P 500 added 31.68 points (0.55%) to 5,770.20, and the Nasdaq rose 126.97 points (0.70%) to 18,196.22.
Economic data showed stronger-than-expected job growth in February, though unemployment ticked up to 4.1%, raising concerns about slowing consumer spending. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley revised down their economic growth forecasts, citing weaker consumer activity.
Trump’s temporary four-week tariff reprieve for Canada and Mexico did little to ease market jitters, as new trade barriers with China loom. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) tumbled 12% due to tariff-related earnings pressure, while Costco (COST) dropped 6% after missing profit expectations. Broadcom (AVGO) surged 8.6% on strong AI-related demand forecasts.
Trading volume hit 16.92 billion shares, exceeding the 20-day average. Declining stocks outnumbered gainers, with the Nasdaq posting 159 new lows versus 28 highs.
