RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian stock markets tumbled on Monday amid mounting fears of expanded U.S. trade tariffs under President Donald Trump. Most regional indexes posted steep losses as risk sentiment soured, despite strong economic data from China.
Investors grew wary after a Wall Street Journal report indicated Trump may unveil broader tariffs targeting key U.S. trading partners. The White House is set to introduce new reciprocal tariffs on April 2, potentially impacting sectors like semiconductors, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals. This follows last week's announcement of a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars.
Wall Street’s sharp Friday losses, triggered by stronger-than-expected inflation data, added to the global risk-off mood. U.S. stock index futures also fell in Asian trading on Monday, further pressuring sentiment.
Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 3.9%, South Korea’s KOSPI slid 2.6%, and the TOPIX lost 3.3%, dragged down by auto and tech stocks. AI-linked firms were particularly hard hit due to concerns over oversupply in data center infrastructure, following reports that Microsoft canceled several data center leases.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 each declined 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.5%. Stronger-than-expected PMI data for March, reflecting gains in both manufacturing and services, failed to boost sentiment. Though the data signaled that Beijing's aggressive stimulus is taking effect, investors remained cautious amid looming U.S. tariffs.
Australia’s ASX 200 also dropped 1.6% ahead of a Reserve Bank of Australia policy decision. Several Southeast Asian markets were closed due to holidays.
Despite outperforming in recent months on stimulus optimism, Chinese stocks remain vulnerable to escalating trade tensions, which continue to weigh on Asian market performance overall.
