Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
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 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
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 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
U.S. stocks plunged on Friday, extending their selloff as weak economic data and tariff concerns fueled investor anxiety. The S&P 500 suffered its worst single-day drop since December, while the Dow posted its steepest weekly decline since October.
Market sentiment soured after reports showed U.S. business activity slowing and consumer confidence weakening. Walmart’s disappointing earnings forecast intensified fears of dampening consumer demand. S&P Global’s Chris Williamson noted that business optimism has "evaporated" amid growing economic uncertainty.
Tech stocks took a hit, with the "Magnificent Seven" all closing lower. Nvidia fell 4.1% ahead of its earnings report, while Tesla and Rivian dropped 4.7% after announcing recalls. The CBOE Volatility Index surged to its highest level since early February, reflecting heightened market unease.
Investor nerves were rattled by President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on lumber, cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. The economically sensitive sectors—transportation, chips, small caps, and consumer discretionary—plunged over 2%. The Dow Jones fell 748.63 points (1.69%) to 43,428.02, the S&P 500 lost 104.39 points (1.71%) to 6,013.13, and the Nasdaq declined 438.36 points (2.20%) to 19,524.01.
UnitedHealth shares sank 7.2% following a Justice Department probe into its Medicare billing, while Block plummeted 17.7% after missing profit estimates. Akamai Technologies slid 21.7% after issuing weak revenue guidance.
Despite the turbulence, 76% of S&P 500 firms have beaten earnings expectations, with aggregate Q4 growth revised upward to 15.7% from 7.8%. However, analysts anticipate ongoing volatility as economic uncertainty persists.
