China Manufacturing PMI Hits 12-Month High Amid Energy Price Concerns 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Mixed in March 2026 Amid Iran War Fears and Tech Selloff 
Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying 
Gold Prices Rebound But Head for Worst Month Since 2008 Amid Iran War Uncertainty 
U.S. Trade Rep Dismisses WTO's Future Role After Failed Cameroon Summit 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
Gold Prices Rebound in Asia Amid Iran War Ceasefire Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
Bank of Korea Nominee Shin Hyun-song Calls for Flexible Monetary Policy Amid Iran War Risks 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Tensions and BOJ Signals 
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears 
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
Oil Prices Surge to Record Monthly Highs as Middle East War Rattles Global Markets 
Dollar Surges to Nine-Month High as Middle East Tensions Drive Safe-Haven Demand 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
Canada's Economy Grows Modestly in January 2025, Driven by Energy and Construction 
Alphabet Surges, Lifting Nasdaq Futures
U.S. stock index futures saw gains in evening trading on Tuesday, fueled by a sharp 5.5% rise in Alphabet Inc. shares after the tech giant reported better-than-expected earnings. Alphabet’s performance is anticipated to set a positive trend for other tech stocks, with Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple slated to release earnings in the coming days.
Tech Leads Gains as Broader Market Holds Back
S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2% to 5,883 points, with Nasdaq 100 Futures up by the same percentage to 20,737.25 points. Dow Jones Futures inched up 0.1% to 42,487 points. However, non-tech sectors remained cautious amid ongoing concerns about the upcoming 2024 presidential election and key economic reports due later this week.
Alphabet's AI Investments Show Results
Alphabet’s success in Q3 was partly due to its cloud services, which grew at their fastest pace in two years. These services were supported by advances in artificial intelligence and election-related ad revenue, particularly on YouTube. The company’s positive results buoy investor sentiment for tech.
Broader Market Mixed as Investors Eye Key Data and Election
The NASDAQ Composite closed 0.8% higher at a record 18,717.58 points on Tuesday, while the S&P 500 rose slightly, ending at 5,832.92. However, the Dow dipped by 0.4%, reflecting lingering caution. Investors remain watchful ahead of Thursday's Q3 GDP report and Friday’s PCE index and employment data, all of which could influence the Federal Reserve’s expected rate decision next week.
