Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday, while U.S. stock futures rose after President Donald Trump postponed a planned 50% tariff on EU imports, extending the deadline to July 9. The delay boosted risk sentiment, driving Nasdaq futures up 1.26%, S&P 500 futures up 1.11%, and FTSE futures up 0.94%.
Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.15%, and yields on super-long Japanese government bonds fell from recent highs. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan dipped 0.17%, while China’s CSI300 dropped 0.06%, the Shanghai Composite was flat, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 0.1%.
Markets were thin following Monday’s U.S. and UK holidays. Investors are now eyeing Nvidia’s Q1 earnings report on Wednesday, where the AI chipmaker is expected to post a 65.9% revenue jump. Month-end portfolio rebalancing and U.S. macroeconomic data—especially Friday’s core PCE price index—also remain in focus, alongside several upcoming speeches from Federal Reserve officials.
In currency markets, the U.S. dollar struggled and was on track for a fifth consecutive monthly loss—its longest losing streak since 2017. The euro traded near a one-month high at $1.14035, and the yen strengthened to 142.18 per dollar. Analysts attribute the dollar’s weakness to erratic U.S. trade policy, ballooning fiscal deficits, and waning safe-haven appeal.
Gold prices, benefiting from dollar weakness, reached record levels earlier this year but slipped 0.28% to $3,332.91 per ounce.
Meanwhile, oil prices dipped slightly ahead of the upcoming OPEC+ meeting. Brent crude futures eased 0.1% to $64.67 a barrel, while U.S. WTI crude dropped 0.16% to $61.43.
Investor attention is also on the Bank of Japan’s two-day conference in Tokyo, where global central bankers are discussing sluggish growth and persistent inflation.
