Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street closed mixed on Thursday as investor sentiment improved slightly amid progress in U.S.-Japan trade talks, though caution prevailed ahead of the Good Friday holiday. The S&P 500 inched up 0.13% to 5,282.70, while the Nasdaq dipped 0.13% to 16,286.45. The Dow Jones slid 1.33% to 39,142.23, dragged down by UnitedHealth’s 22% plunge after the insurer cut its profit forecast due to surging medical costs.
Eli Lilly shares jumped 14% after reporting its experimental pill matched the performance of Ozempic in reducing blood sugar and weight. Apple rose 1.4%, rebounding from recent losses. However, broader sentiment remained cautious as traders eyed President Donald Trump's tariff strategy and comments on potential trade agreements with China and Japan. Trump criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and called for rate cuts, raising concerns over central bank independence.
Market volumes were lighter than usual, with 14.6 billion shares traded versus a 20-day average of 19.2 billion. Energy and consumer staples led gains among S&P 500 sectors, up 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively.
Despite Thursday’s slight recovery, major indexes logged weekly losses: the S&P 500 fell 1.5%, the Nasdaq 2.6%, and the Dow 2.7%. Since April 2—when Trump announced global tariffs—the S&P 500 remains down roughly 7%.
In extended hours, Netflix gained 2.5% after beating earnings forecasts and issuing a bullish outlook. Meanwhile, Alphabet shares dropped 1.4% following a legal ruling that Google illegally dominated ad tech markets.
Jobless claims data showed stable labor conditions, but businesses remain cautious due to tariff uncertainties. As recession risks rise and investors demand clear trade outcomes, market volatility is expected to persist in the weeks ahead.
