South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Global equity markets surged on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 and European shares closing at record highs amid strong U.S. earnings, trade tariff concerns, and increased European defense spending. The S&P 500 inched past its previous peak, while the Dow Jones rose 0.02% to 44,556.34, the S&P 500 gained 0.24% to 6,129.58, and the Nasdaq advanced 0.07% to 20,041.26.
European markets also rallied, with the STOXX 600 reaching an all-time high of 557.96, driven by banking and defense stocks. Investors reacted to potential economic stimulus following upcoming German elections and concerns over U.S. trade policies and inflation. Germany’s 10-year bond yield climbed to 2.51%, reflecting expectations of increased government spending.
China’s stock market benefited from optimism surrounding President Xi Jinping’s meeting with domestic business leaders. Meanwhile, European leaders committed to supporting Ukraine amid ongoing U.S.-Russia negotiations.
Inflation concerns remained high, with key U.S. measures exceeding the Fed’s target. Investors anticipate the release of the Fed’s January meeting minutes, following hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.554%.
The dollar strengthened against major currencies, gaining 0.35% against the yen and 0.28% against the Swiss franc. The dollar index climbed 0.28% to 107.02, while the euro fell to $1.0449.
In commodities, Brent crude oil increased 0.82% to $75.84 per barrel ahead of U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, while gold prices surged 1.23% to $2,933.37 an ounce.
Market analysts remain cautious about trade tariffs and persistent inflation, which could delay the Fed’s anticipated rate cuts.
