Bank of Canada Holds Interest Rate at 2.25% Amid Trade and Global Uncertainty 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
Japan Declines Comment on BOJ’s Absence From Global Support Statement for Fed Chair Powell. Source: Asturio Cantabrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
U.S. Urges Japan on Monetary Policy as Yen Volatility Raises Market Concerns 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Second Week as Tariff Threats and Iran Tensions Shake Markets 
Markets React as Tensions Rise Between White House and Federal Reserve Over Interest Rate Pressure 
RBA Expected to Raise Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points in February, ANZ Forecast Says 
U.S. Prosecutors Investigate Fed Chair Jerome Powell Over Headquarters Renovation 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
South Korea Industry Minister Heads to Washington Amid U.S. Tariff Hike Concerns 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
European stock markets tumbled Friday following the European Central Bank's latest rate cut and concerns over U.S. trade policy shifts. At 09:03 GMT, the Stoxx 600 fell 0.9%, Germany’s DAX dropped 1.5%, France’s CAC 40 slipped 1.0%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 dipped 0.4%.
The ECB cut interest rates for the sixth time since June, signaling that monetary policy is becoming less restrictive as inflation nears its 2% target. However, ECB President Christine Lagarde remained cautious, stating future moves could include further cuts or a pause. Nomura economists noted a slightly hawkish tone, now expecting just one rate cut this year instead of two.
Adding to economic concerns, German industrial orders fell 7% in January, reversing December’s surge driven by increased demand for aircraft, ships, and military vehicles. Meanwhile, Germany's potential new government coalition plans to reform borrowing rules to increase defense and infrastructure spending.
Investors also reacted to fluctuating U.S. trade policies. President Donald Trump initially imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods while raising Chinese tariffs to 20%. However, he later delayed the North American tariffs until April 2, adding to market volatility. Traders are now eyeing U.S. jobs data and a speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for further policy direction.
Oil prices rose slightly Friday, with Brent at $69.63 and WTI at $66.48 per barrel. Despite this, both benchmarks are on track for their biggest weekly losses since October, dropping nearly 5% due to uncertainty around U.S. trade policy and increased production from major oil producers.
Market sentiment remains fragile as global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and shifting monetary policies continue to impact investor confidence.
