Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
U.S. stock futures held steady Sunday evening after a volatile February, as investors weighed upcoming tariffs and economic data. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures each rose 0.1%, while Dow Jones futures remained flat.
The market remains cautious ahead of new tariffs set to take effect on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that President Donald Trump will finalize tariff levels on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. While an initial 25% tariff was proposed, Trump is expected to raise an additional 10% tariff on China. February’s market losses were largely driven by concerns over these tariffs and shifting expectations in the tech sector, especially around artificial intelligence. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 4% in February, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones down 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively.
Economic data suggests the U.S. economy started 2025 on weak footing. Despite the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 100 basis points last year, inflation remained persistent. The PCE price index rose 0.3% in January, marking a 2.5% annual increase, slightly below December’s 2.6%. Core inflation slowed to 2.6% year-over-year. However, consumer sentiment declined 0.2%, its first drop in two years, due to inflation and tariff concerns.
The Atlanta Federal Reserve now forecasts 1.5% annualized GDP growth for Q1 2025, down from 2.3% in Q4 2024. Analysts warn that Trump’s trade policies are impacting consumer confidence and spending. The combination of trade uncertainty, slowing growth, and persistent inflation is shaping a complex economic landscape for investors.
