ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian stocks declined on Friday as investors navigated geopolitical risks and uncertainty over U.S. trade policy. Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 0.6%, as China’s export growth slowed to 2.3% annually (Jan-Feb), compared to 10.7% in December. Australia’s stock market hit a six-month low, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares tumbling 3.3%, dragging the financial sector lower.
EUROPE
European markets closed lower, with the Stoxx 600 Index down 0.46%, marking its first weekly loss of 2025. Luxury stocks were among the biggest decliners, as U.S. tariffs could dampen American consumer demand and push prices higher. Economic data showed modest growth in the fourth quarter of 2024: Eurozone GDP rose 0.2% quarter-over-quarter. EU GDP increased 0.4% quarter-over-quarter. Employment grew modestly, rising 0.1% in the Eurozone and 0.2% in the EU.
AMERICAS
Major stock markets in the U.S. closed higher after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank will take a cautious approach to monetary policy easing, adding the economy was “in a good place.” The S&P 500 rose 0.6%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.5%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 0.7%. On the data front, the latest jobs report showed that nonfarm payrolls were up by 151,000 in February, below the expected 160,000. Investors also assessed the effects of United States President Donald Trump’s decision to delay tariffs on Canada and Mexico until April 2.
AFRICA
Egyptian treasury investors expected to roll over holdings, following IMF-backed financial stabilization and record UAE investment in 2024. Over 1.08 trillion Egyptian pounds ($21.3 billion) worth of local currency T-bills are set to mature in March. UAE & Central African Republic signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost trade beyond $999 million, per UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
MIDDLE EAST
Saudi healthcare education firm Future Vision for Health Training announced plans for an IPO, offering 2 million shares on the Saudi Parallel Market NOMU (20% of share capital). The share sale will run from April 6-10, managed by Yaqeen Capital. U.S. President Donald Trump stated he plans to visit Saudi Arabia to finalize an agreement for Riyadh to invest over $1 trillion in the U.S. economy, including military purchases.
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Spot gold edged up 0.2% to $2,915.10/oz as of 16:35 GMT, supported by safe-haven demand amid economic uncertainty. U.S. gold futures dipped 0.1% to $2,923.80/oz, pressured by weak U.S. job growth.
OIL
Brent crude futures climbed $1.41 (+2.03%) to $70.87/barrel. U.S. WTI crude rose $1.34 (+2.02%) to $67.70/barrel, but was set for its biggest weekly decline since October, driven by demand concerns and oversupply fears.
