Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reassured markets that the economy remains strong. However, lingering trade policy uncertainty led to Wall Street’s biggest weekly decline in months.
Powell signaled that the Fed won’t rush to cut interest rates, citing economic stability but also expressing concerns over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Market volatility surged throughout the week as investors reacted to trade tensions involving Canada, Mexico, and China.
The S&P 500 suffered its worst weekly loss since September, declining 3.1%, while the Nasdaq fell 3.45% and the Dow dropped 2.37%. The Russell 2000 Small Cap index slid 3.86%. The Nasdaq also confirmed a 10% drop from its December high, marking a technical correction.
Stocks initially dipped on Friday but rebounded following Powell’s remarks. The Dow gained 222.64 points (0.52%) to close at 42,801.72, the S&P 500 added 31.68 points (0.55%) to 5,770.20, and the Nasdaq rose 126.97 points (0.70%) to 18,196.22.
Economic data showed stronger-than-expected job growth in February, though unemployment ticked up to 4.1%, raising concerns about slowing consumer spending. Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley revised down their economic growth forecasts, citing weaker consumer activity.
Trump’s temporary four-week tariff reprieve for Canada and Mexico did little to ease market jitters, as new trade barriers with China loom. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) tumbled 12% due to tariff-related earnings pressure, while Costco (COST) dropped 6% after missing profit expectations. Broadcom (AVGO) surged 8.6% on strong AI-related demand forecasts.
Trading volume hit 16.92 billion shares, exceeding the 20-day average. Declining stocks outnumbered gainers, with the Nasdaq posting 159 new lows versus 28 highs.
