Asian Markets Rise as AI Rally Caps 2025, Gold and Silver Hit Record Highs 
BOJ Governor Signals Gradual Rate Hikes as Japan’s Inflation Nears 2% Target 
UBS Warns of Short-Term Risks as Precious Metals Rally to Record Highs 
Japan Plans $189 Billion Bond Issuance as Record Budget Signals Expansionary Fiscal Policy 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
Japan Approves Record ¥122.3 Trillion Budget as Takaichi Seeks Fiscal Balance 
China Revises 2024 GDP Lower After Final Review, Eyes Growth in 2025 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Russian Stocks End Lower as Energy and Mining Shares Weigh on MOEX Index 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Holiday-Thinned Trading Persists 
U.S. stock index futures dipped Monday night following Wall Street's weak first-quarter performance, as recession fears mounted ahead of President Donald Trump’s upcoming tariff announcements.
S&P 500 Futures dropped 0.4% to 5,633.50, while Nasdaq 100 Futures slid 0.5% to 19,351.50. Dow Jones Futures edged down 0.2% to 42,177.0 by 8:05 PM ET. The pullback reflects growing investor anxiety as Trump's trade policy gains momentum.
Set for April 2, Trump’s new "reciprocal tariffs" will target a wide range of trading partners with no exemptions. The following day, a 25% tariff on auto imports will take effect. These measures aim to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign goods and revive domestic manufacturing but risk disrupting global trade and fueling economic downturn concerns.
A Wall Street Journal report noted Trump’s consideration of expanding tariffs to more countries, escalating fears of a trade war. In response, Goldman Sachs raised the likelihood of a U.S. recession from 20% to 35%, projecting average tariff rates to climb to 15%.
Markets have already responded with volatility. Despite a 0.6% gain on Monday, the S&P 500 posted a 5% loss for Q1 2025. The Nasdaq ended flat for the day but plunged over 10% for the quarter. The Dow gained 1% Monday yet still lost 2% for the quarter. All three indexes closed lower for March.
Market leaders struggled too. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) fell 1.2% Monday and tumbled 20% in Q1. Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) sank over 35% for the quarter and is under pressure ahead of this week’s delivery report, facing protests tied to CEO Elon Musk’s political actions.
Investors brace for a turbulent start to Q2 as policy uncertainty looms.
