RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian stocks saw modest gains on Thursday, with Japan leading the region on renewed hopes of U.S. trade dialogue. Investors remained cautious, reassessing optimism over a potential de-escalation in the U.S.-China trade war after mixed signals from Washington.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose nearly 1%, while the TOPIX added 0.8%, driven by reports that Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa will visit the U.S. for further trade talks. Automakers rallied after the Financial Times reported that Trump may exclude auto parts from a proposed 25% tariff. Toyota surged over 5% on this news and its U.S. plant expansion plans, while Honda gained 2%. Nintendo also jumped more than 5%, boosted by strong demand for its upcoming Switch 2 console.
Elsewhere, Asian markets reflected Wall Street's overnight gains following Trump’s hints at reducing tariffs on China and softening criticism of the Federal Reserve. However, skepticism lingered as Trump emphasized that any progress would require initiative from Beijing, a move Chinese officials have yet to signal. U.S. futures inched higher in early Asian trading.
China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite both rose 0.5%, while the Hang Seng dipped 0.4% amid profit-taking in internet stocks. Australia’s ASX 200 gained 0.6%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.3%. Indian futures suggested a weak open, as investors monitored geopolitical tensions after a terrorist attack in Kashmir.
South Korea's KOSPI fell 0.6% following disappointing Q1 GDP data, which showed a 0.2% quarter-on-quarter contraction due to export disruptions from U.S. trade policies. This overshadowed strong earnings from chipmaker SK Hynix, whose shares slipped slightly despite continued AI-driven demand.
