Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday, supported by South Korea's political shift and optimism in tech stocks, even as global markets remain tense over escalating U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
South Korea's KOSPI surged over 2%—its highest since August 2024—following liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung’s presidential win, which raised hopes for swift economic stimulus and regulatory reforms. The Korean won also strengthened, reflecting investor confidence. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan rose 0.6%, while Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.8% and Taiwan climbed 1.6%, buoyed by Nvidia’s rally on Wall Street.
Market sentiment, however, remained cautious ahead of a potential call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Tensions have resurfaced after Trump accused China of violating a tariff rollback deal. In response, Beijing pledged to defend its interests.
China’s markets were muted, with the blue-chip index up 0.09% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gaining 0.27%. Analysts warned that despite investor fatigue over trade news, further escalation could drive risk aversion.
Adding to market concerns, the U.S. implemented a tariff hike on steel and aluminium to 50% starting Wednesday, dubbed “Liberation Day” tariffs. Investors fear these could be a precursor to broader protectionist measures. The OECD revised its global growth forecast down to 2.9% for 2025–2026, citing the impact of trade tensions.
The U.S. dollar weakened, slipping 0.17% against the yen and 0.1% against the Swiss franc, while the euro rose 0.15%. The dollar index hovered near a six-week low, down 8.5% year-to-date.
In commodities, Brent crude dipped to $65.59, while gold jumped 0.5% to $3,369.59 per ounce, up 28% in 2025, driven by safe-haven demand.
