Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Asian markets dropped Wednesday as Nvidia shares plunged following U.S. restrictions on AI chip exports to China, fueling fears of an expanding U.S.-China tech war. The news wiped out $160 billion from Nvidia’s market cap, triggering a 1.4% fall in Nasdaq futures and a 0.8% drop in S&P 500 futures.
The U.S. imposed new export licensing rules on Nvidia’s H20 chips, a move expected to cost the chipmaker $5.5 billion. Analysts warn the export curbs mark the beginning of a larger tech battle, prompting investor caution. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index slipped 0.9%, while Japan’s Nikkei dipped 0.5%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 1.6%. In contrast, Chinese chipmakers like Hua Hong Semiconductor and SMIC gained on expectations of domestic growth.
Despite China’s Q1 GDP growth beating forecasts at 5.4%, trade tensions cloud the outlook. President Trump’s order to investigate new tariffs on critical mineral imports and China’s retaliation—including a halt on Boeing aircraft deliveries—intensified concerns over global supply chains.
Gold soared 1.2% to a record $3,266.65 per ounce, driven by rising geopolitical risk. ANZ raised its year-end gold price forecast to $3,600, citing increased demand for safe-haven assets. U.S. Treasury yields stabilized, with the 10-year at 4.325% and the 30-year at 4.777%, both below last week’s highs.
In currency markets, the dollar weakened. The euro rose to $1.1316, and the yen gained to 142.84 per dollar. Bank of Japan Governor Ueda signaled potential policy action if tariffs weigh on Japan’s economy.
Oil prices edged higher, with Brent at $64.79 and U.S. crude at $61.42. Markets now await Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech for further guidance amid escalating trade tensions.
