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 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian stock markets were mixed on Wednesday, with Hong Kong and South Korea extending gains driven by Wall Street’s tech rally, while Japan lagged due to a stronger yen and rising interest rate expectations.
The Hang Seng Index rose over 1%, supported by surging Chinese tech stocks like Alibaba and Tencent, following a bullish session for U.S. tech. South Korea’s KOSPI also jumped 1.5%, led by chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, after NVIDIA announced a major AI chip deal with Saudi Arabia’s Humain, boosting investor sentiment in the semiconductor space.
However, broader market momentum appeared to fade as enthusiasm over the recent U.S.-China tariff truce cooled. U.S. and China agreed to temporarily cut tariffs — Washington reducing duties from 145% to 30%, and Beijing lowering its rate from 125% to 10% — but investors remain cautious about the next phase of negotiations.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.8% and the broader Topix lost over 1% as a strengthening yen weighed on exporters. The Japanese currency rose on renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan rate hike, especially after April wholesale inflation climbed to 4.0%. The BOJ is scheduled to meet on May 19–20 to decide on interest rate policy.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 were flat, with reduced hopes for further government stimulus amid easing trade tensions. Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 dipped 0.1%, Singapore’s STI slid 0.3%, and Indian Nifty 50 futures were steady amid geopolitical concerns with Pakistan.
Despite signs of cooling inflation in the U.S., global markets remain cautious ahead of key central bank meetings and trade developments.
