U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. stock futures edged higher Thursday night after Wall Street saw the S&P 500 slip into correction territory. S&P 500 Futures rose 0.5% to 5,553.0 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.6% to 19,359.50, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.3% to 40,987.0.
The rebound followed Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s support for a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill, aiming to prevent a government shutdown as current funding expires Friday at midnight. The bill passed the House earlier this week.
February’s Producer Price Index (PPI) remained flat, easing inflation concerns after a 0.6% jump in January. Annual PPI growth slowed to 3.2% from January’s 3.7%. This follows softer Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, yet markets still tumbled. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% to 5,521.17, officially entering correction territory with a 10% drop from its recent peak. The Dow slid 1.3%, and the Nasdaq lost 2%.
Trade war fears drove the sell-off, with investors worrying that rising tariffs could fuel inflation and recession risks. Tech stocks suffered, with Tesla falling 2.4%, Meta losing 4.7%, and Apple dropping 3.4%. Intel, however, surged 14.6% after naming Lip-Bu Tan as CEO.
Adding to concerns, President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on European alcohol in response to the EU’s planned 50% tariff on American whiskey. The EU move, effective April 1, follows recent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump vowed retaliatory action unless the EU withdraws its levy, potentially increasing consumer prices in both regions.
With trade tensions escalating and economic uncertainty looming, markets remain on edge despite a temporary recovery in futures trading.
