RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
The Japanese yen firmed on Thursday, reaching a two-month high of 150.62 per U.S. dollar, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda. The dollar held steady, while the euro and sterling eased, with the British pound slipping to $1.2594.
Trump announced upcoming tariffs on timber, cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, echoing previous remarks about imposing a 25% tariff on autos and similar duties on other sectors. Investors remain cautious about the potential economic impact, though markets have grown accustomed to his transactional approach. Meanwhile, Trump also pledged tax cuts for individuals and businesses, adding to market uncertainty.
Federal Reserve minutes revealed officials’ concerns about inflation risks tied to Trump’s trade and immigration policies, reinforcing a patient stance on rate cuts. The dollar index hovered near a one-week high at 107.15.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the Australian dollar edged up 0.07% to $0.6350 after a mixed jobs report, while the New Zealand dollar remained flat at $0.5705. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Adrian Orr stated that another 50-basis-point rate cut would require a significant economic shock.
China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged, prioritizing financial and currency stability. The offshore yuan gained 0.1% to 7.2788 per dollar.
Geopolitical tensions also influenced market sentiment after Trump referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a “dictator” amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Investors remain watchful as uncertainty looms over global trade, central bank policies, and geopolitical developments.
