U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
Oil Prices Ease in Asia as Geopolitical Risks Clash With Weak Demand Outlook 
BOJ Minutes Reveal Growing Debate Over Interest Rate Hikes and Inflation Risks 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Holiday-Thinned Trading Persists 
Russian Stocks End Lower as Energy and Mining Shares Weigh on MOEX Index 
Japan Approves Record ¥122.3 Trillion Budget as Takaichi Seeks Fiscal Balance 
Oil Prices Rise on Venezuela Sanctions and Nigeria Airstrikes Despite Annual Losses 
Global Markets Rise as Tech Stocks Lead, Yen Strengthens, and Commodities Hit Record Highs 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
Why U.S. Coffee Prices Are Staying High Despite Trump’s Tariff Rollbacks 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
Gold Prices Surge to Record Highs as Geopolitical Tensions Fuel Safe-Haven Demand 
Wall Street closed sharply lower Friday, led by steep declines in tech giants like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), amid growing concerns over high inflation and slowing economic growth. The S&P 500 dropped 1.97% to 5,580.94, while the Nasdaq plummeted 2.70% to 17,322.99, and the Dow fell 1.69% to 41,583.90.
U.S. economic data showed consumer spending rose less than expected in February, while core inflation surged the most in over a year. The University of Michigan’s consumer survey also revealed inflation expectations at their highest in nearly 2.5 years. Fears are mounting that escalating tariffs under President Trump will drive up costs on imports, worsen inflation, and prevent the Federal Reserve from cutting rates. Fed funds futures now price in a 76% chance of a rate cut by June, according to CME FedWatch.
Tech stocks were hit hardest, with Amazon falling 4.3%, Microsoft down 3%, and Apple shedding 2.7%. Ten of the S&P 500’s 11 sectors declined, with communication services and consumer discretionary leading losses. CoreWeave, an Nvidia-backed AI company, slumped in its Nasdaq debut, while Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU) plunged 14% after lowering its annual outlook due to tariff uncertainties.
Auto stocks continued to slide, with General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford posting losses amid looming 25% tariffs on imports. Meanwhile, gold miners Harmony and Gold Fields surged on safe-haven demand.
For the week, the S&P 500 declined 1.5%, the Nasdaq 2.6%, and the Dow 1%. With a fresh round of tariffs expected April 2, investor sentiment remains fragile. The S&P 500 is now down 9% from its February high, with the Nasdaq off 14% from its December peak.
