Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Gold Prices Rise Above $4,000 as Inflation Data and Weaker Dollar Boost Demand 
South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Gold Drops Below $4,000 as Strong US Dollar and Fed Rate Hike Expectations Pressure Bullion 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
Gold Price Falls as Fed Rate Hike Fears and U.S.-Iran Tensions Weigh on Bullion 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
The U.S. dollar hovered near a four-month low on Friday as uncertainty over tariff policies and economic growth prospects weighed on investor sentiment. A temporary reprieve on tariffs targeting Mexico and Canada, announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday, did little to support the greenback. Meanwhile, market participants awaited U.S. nonfarm payrolls data, set for release later in the day.
The dollar slipped to a three-month low of 0.8820 against the Swiss franc and weakened slightly against the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso. Trump’s tariff suspension is set to expire on April 2, when reciprocal levies will take effect on all U.S. trading partners. Analysts, including Kieran Williams of InTouch Capital Markets, noted that signs of waning U.S. economic strength have led to a diminished appeal for the dollar, with inflationary concerns failing to provide support.
The focus remains on February’s U.S. jobs report, which is expected to show 160,000 job additions, up from 143,000 in January, with unemployment steady at 4.0%. However, a surge in planned layoffs—172,017 in February, the highest since previous recessions—has fueled concerns about economic slowdown. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to address the economic outlook later in the day, with markets pricing in 77 basis points in rate cuts for 2025.
The U.S. dollar index edged down 0.05% to 104.15, while the euro held at $1.0790 after hitting a four-month high. The yen strengthened slightly, with the dollar trading at 147.86 yen. Meanwhile, Bitcoin dropped 4.61% to $85,354.63 following an executive order by Trump establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve funded through asset forfeiture.
