ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian stocks ended lower on Tuesday, weighed down by growing concerns that the U.S. economy may be heading into a recession. Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 0.6%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.9%, hitting a seven-month closing low as financials, technology, and healthcare stocks led the declines.
EUROPE
European markets finished sharply lower, with many indices falling to multi-week lows as trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada intensified. The pan-European Stoxx 600 lost 1.7%, while key regional indices also saw notable declines: The U.K.’s FTSE 100 depreciated by 1.21%, Germany’s DAX was off 1.29%. France’s CAC 40 dropped 1.31%. Switzerland’s SMI tumbled 2.47%.
AMERICAS
U.S. equities declined as President Donald Trump announced a sharp increase in tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel imports, raising levies to 50% effective Wednesday. The policy shift fueled investor concerns over escalating trade disputes. The major indices finished in negative territory: Dow Jones Industrial Average: -1.14%. S&P 500: -0.76%. Nasdaq Composite: -0.18%
AFRICA
South Africa’s net foreign reserves rose to $61.733 billion in February, up from $61.328 billion in January, according to central bank data.
MIDDLE EAST
Gulf stock markets ended mostly lower, pressured by fears of a U.S. economic downturn amid trade uncertainties. However, some regional indices managed to trim earlier losses. Saudi Arabia: -0.2% to 11,718. Abu Dhabi: -1% to 9,299. Dubai: -0.3% to 5,122. Qatar: -0.5% to 10,484. Bahrain: -0.5% to 1,963.
Oman: Flat at 4,405. Kuwait: -0.9% to 8,525
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Safe-haven demand drove gold prices higher, with spot gold rising 1% to $2,919.29 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures gained 0.9% to $2,926.30 per ounce.
OIL
Crude oil prices edged lower in early trading: Brent crude fell $0.29 (-0.42%) to $68.99 per barrel.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined $0.36 (-0.55%) to $65.67 per barrel.
