Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japan’s consumer inflation remained elevated in February, fueling expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will continue tightening monetary policy in 2024.
Government data released Friday showed the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 3.7% year-on-year in February, slightly below January’s 4.0% but still above market forecasts. Core CPI, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, increased 3.0%—above the anticipated 2.9% but easing from January’s 3.2%.
A key inflation gauge closely monitored by the BOJ, which strips out both fresh food and energy prices, rose 2.6% in February from 2.5% in January. This reading remained well above the central bank’s 2% inflation target, underscoring persistent underlying price pressures.
The data highlights how inflation in Japan remains sticky, driven by higher living costs and expectations of strong wage growth. The BOJ, which left interest rates unchanged earlier this week, signaled growing concerns over inflationary persistence. Analysts now expect a potential rate hike as early as May, with forecasts projecting rates could reach 1% by the end of 2025, up from the current 0.5%.
Annual spring wage negotiations between major Japanese firms and labor unions are also expected to result in another round of substantial pay hikes. Robust wage growth is likely to support private consumption and further entrench inflation expectations, giving the BOJ more reason to raise rates.
Sticky inflation and rising wages signal a shift in Japan’s economic landscape, increasing the likelihood of a gradual policy normalization by the BOJ this year. Investors and policymakers will closely watch upcoming inflation and wage data for cues on the central bank’s next move.
