ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian stocks ended mostly lower on Wednesday as investors remained cautious amid trade concerns and central bank signals. Shanghai Composite was down 0.2%, Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 0.8%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat as Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda described recent increases in bond yields as a natural response to future rate hike expectations. Meanwhile, Japan’s wholesale inflation eased to 4% in February from a seven-month high of 4.2%, keeping BoJ rate-hike bets alive. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 tumbled 1.3% after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Australia would not be exempt from the 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel, weighing on market sentiment.
EUROPE
European markets closed higher on Wednesday following Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire proposal with Russia. The pan-European Stoxx 600 gained 0.81%. Meanwhile, the European Union responded to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum with its own €26 billion tariff package on U.S. imports. In monetary policy, ECB Governing Council member Mario Centeno stated that he “would prefer to move sooner rather than later” regarding interest rate cuts.
AMERICAS
U.S. stock markets exhibited mixed performance after a better-than-expected CPI report showed annual inflation at 2.8% in February, boosting hopes for an eventual rate cut. Despite ongoing trade war concerns, optimism over cooling inflation helped offset investor fears stemming from the Trump administration’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum and the EU’s retaliatory trade measures.
AFRICA
Egypt’s blue-chip index closed 0.4% higher, with GB Auto surging 8.8%. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $1.2 billion disbursement to Egypt after completing the fourth review of the country’s $8 billion economic reform program. The approval came after Egypt agreed to waive its primary budget surplus target as part of the agreement.
MIDDLE EAST
Gulf stock markets closed mixed as trade uncertainty and economic concerns weighed on investor sentiment. Saudi Arabia: -0.1% (ACWA Power -3.3%, Saudi Arabian Mining -2.5%). Dubai: +0.7% (Emaar Properties +2.3%, Dubai Islamic Bank +3.1%). Abu Dhabi: +0.4%
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Gold prices edged higher as tariff uncertainty and softer inflation data kept U.S. rate-cut expectations intact. Spot gold: +0.1% to $2,917.93 per ounce. U.S. gold futures: +0.1% to $2,923.80 per ounce
OIL
Crude prices climbed as a weaker dollar supported gains, though concerns over tariff impacts on global demand capped further upside. Brent crude: +$0.27 (+0.39%) to $69.83 per barrel. WTI crude: +$0.29 (+0.44%) to $66.54 per barrel
Meanwhile, OPEC maintained its global oil demand growth forecasts, projecting an increase of 1.45 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025 and 1.43 million bpd in 2026, unchanged from last month’s estimates.
