Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Sweden’s economy stagnated in the first quarter of 2025, with gross domestic product (GDP) showing no growth compared to the previous three months, according to preliminary data from the Statistics Office released Tuesday. Analysts had projected a modest 0.2% increase quarter-on-quarter.
On an annual basis, GDP rose 1.1%, also falling short of the 1.7% growth forecast. In comparison, the economy expanded 0.8% quarter-on-quarter and 2.4% year-on-year during the final quarter of 2024, signaling a slowdown in momentum.
March data showed a 0.6% monthly increase, but that improvement failed to carry over into the broader quarterly figures. The weaker-than-expected performance adds to concerns about Sweden’s economic resilience amid persistent global uncertainty and tighter financial conditions.
Investors and policymakers are now closely watching the central bank’s next move, with the Riksbank scheduled to announce its interest rate decision on May 8. Markets are speculating whether the stagnant GDP results will influence monetary policy, especially as inflation pressures and global risks remain significant factors for Sweden’s economic outlook.
