Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
The United States April retail sales is expected to surge by around 8 pct m/m on an anticipated rise in monthly auto sales and pump prices, rising by around 7 pct on an average. However, retail sales growth has been a matter of concern in the recent past, with control group sales rising 2.8 pct on year.
The retail sector seems to be growing on sales in the internet sector and home building materials. The former continues to rise at an average trend pace of 6-7 pct on year.
"Meanwhile, low mortgage rates – current 15Y fixed rates are 2.70%, essentially their lowest since WWII – have lit a fire under the housing market and sales growth in home building materials has shot up to 12% YoY. Not much is sizzling in the US economy but housing probably counts as an important exception," DBS said in a research piece.
