Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
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 
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 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
The European Central Bank is expected to adopt further policy easing in June, with more stimulus measures likely in September, after it had cut rates in March this year. However, the ECB kept monetary policy unchanged in April, largely to implement other measures announced in March.
The March policy meet witnessed, alongside a rate cut, measures to increase the monthly pace of asset purchases to €80 billion (with corporate bond purchases from June) and preparations for a new funding programme for banks (TLTRO II) to incentivize lending.
Growth figures witnessed an upswing with Eurozone Q1 GDP surprisingly strong at 0.6 pct on quarter, supported by boost in domestic demand. Annual headline inflation fell in to negative territory in April, as per the CB’s expectations, to 0.2 pct.
"Growth outperformed both the US and UK, but we expect it to slow in Q2," said Lloyds Bank in a recent report.
In addition, ECB President Mario Draghi said that it will require time and patience to witness the impact of policy stimulus measures on inflation. However, it will remain concerned about the extent of the decline in core inflation (excluding food and energy) which fell back to a one-year
low of 0.7 pct in April.
"We have maintained our forecasts for German 2yr and 10yr bund yields at -0.5 pct and 0.3 pct
respectively, by the year end, with risks to the downside if the anticipated start of the recovery in inflation later in the year fails to materialize," said Lloyds Bank in a research note.
