Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
UK industrial production for the month of March remained below expectations at 0.3 pct, against 0.5 pct expected, though an improvement from February’s figure of a decline of 0.2 pct. However, manufacturing output rose by 0.1 pct, a slight rebound post previous month’s decline of 1.1 pct.
Further, oil production fell by 0.4 pct while utilities output rose sharply, possibly reflecting unseasonal weather trends. While the data show a modest pickup in manufacturing activity towards the end of Q1, the overall level is still low enough to suggest that it will probably make little contribution to GDP growth in Q1, Lloyds bank reported.
The recent weakening in the sterling effective exchange is still consistent with some pick up in manufacturing output in coming months but it appears at least for now that GDP growth will remain overwhelmingly services driven.
"Moreover, given signs that service sector growth slowed during Q1, we expect only a modest rise in GDP in Q2 of 0.3%," Lloyds Bank said in a research note.
