New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
U.S. stock futures edged higher Thursday night after Wall Street saw the S&P 500 slip into correction territory. S&P 500 Futures rose 0.5% to 5,553.0 points, Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 0.6% to 19,359.50, and Dow Jones Futures added 0.3% to 40,987.0.
The rebound followed Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s support for a Republican-backed stopgap funding bill, aiming to prevent a government shutdown as current funding expires Friday at midnight. The bill passed the House earlier this week.
February’s Producer Price Index (PPI) remained flat, easing inflation concerns after a 0.6% jump in January. Annual PPI growth slowed to 3.2% from January’s 3.7%. This follows softer Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, yet markets still tumbled. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% to 5,521.17, officially entering correction territory with a 10% drop from its recent peak. The Dow slid 1.3%, and the Nasdaq lost 2%.
Trade war fears drove the sell-off, with investors worrying that rising tariffs could fuel inflation and recession risks. Tech stocks suffered, with Tesla falling 2.4%, Meta losing 4.7%, and Apple dropping 3.4%. Intel, however, surged 14.6% after naming Lip-Bu Tan as CEO.
Adding to concerns, President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on European alcohol in response to the EU’s planned 50% tariff on American whiskey. The EU move, effective April 1, follows recent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump vowed retaliatory action unless the EU withdraws its levy, potentially increasing consumer prices in both regions.
With trade tensions escalating and economic uncertainty looming, markets remain on edge despite a temporary recovery in futures trading.
