ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian stock markets ended Tuesday’s session mixed, as investors closely monitored the latest developments on U.S. trade policies. U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a possible temporary exemption from auto tariffs for countries like Mexico and Canada. However, reports emerged that the U.S. was launching investigations into pharmaceutical and semiconductor imports, raising concerns over further trade restrictions. Shanghai Composite rose by 0.2%. Nikkei 225 in Japan advanced 0.8%. S&P/ASX 200 in Australia gained 0.2%, supported by expectations of a potential rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia in May.
EUROPE
European European markets closed higher, encouraged by easing tariff fears, although economic data painted a mixed picture across the region. The Pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed 1.6%. The DAX in Germany rose 1.49%, the FTSE 100 in the UK added 1.44% while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.86%. While Eurozone industrial production rose 1.1% in February, Germany’s economic sentiment dropped sharply in April.
AMERICAS
Major US stock markets closed mixed as investors assessed the latest earnings reports by major companies, including Johnson and Johnson, Bank of America, and Citigroup. The Dow fell 0.4%, the S&P 500 dipped 0.2% and the Nasdaq edged down 0.1%.
AFRICA
Egypt’s blue-chip index closed flat as investors awaited the central bank’s decision on interest rates. Analysts expect a cut of 200 basis points, but ongoing trade tensions may prompt caution despite falling inflation, according to a Reuters poll.
MIDDLE EAST
Most Gulf stock markets closed higher. Saudi Arabia’s TASI rose 0.2%, led by Al Rajhi Bank (+0.5%) and Saudi Telecom Company (+2.3%). Dubai’s DFM advanced 0.4%, with Emaar Properties up 2.1%. Abu Dhabi’s ADX gained 0.6%. Qatar’s QE Index climbed 0.7%, driven by Qatar Islamic Bank (+1.3%). In Lebanon, officials indicated plans to meet international bondholders for debt restructuring talks within the next year but ruled out meetings during the upcoming World Bank/IMF Spring sessions.
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,221.32 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures increased 0.4% to $3,238.70, supported by a softer U.S. dollar and continued tariff tensions boosting demand for safe-haven assets.
OIL
Oil prices edged lower after the International Energy Agency followed OPEC in cutting its oil demand forecast: Brent crude fell 0.32% to $64.67 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipped 0.33% to $61.33 per barrel
