ASIA/PACIFIC
Asian markets mostly climbed on Monday after China’s State Council unveiled a “special action plan” aimed at boosting domestic consumption. According to Xinhua, authorities will soon provide details on measures to stabilize stock and real estate markets, raise wages, and boost the nation’s birth rate. In response, the Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.2%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.77%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.93%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.8%, reflecting investor optimism.
EUROPE
European markets traded in the green as investors awaited key monetary policy decisions from the Bank of England, the Swiss National Bank, and the U.S. Federal Reserve, set to be announced later this week. Market participants also closely monitored developments surrounding a crucial spending vote in Germany, as well as ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions. Germany’s DAX climbed 0.73%, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.57%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 added 0.56%. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index advanced 0.79%, reflecting broad-based strength across the continent.
AMERICAS
U.S. stock markets experienced gains across major indices as investors digested the latest economic reports. The S&P 500 increased by 0.6% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.9%. The Nasdaq Composite advanced by 0.3%. The positive movement occurred despite weaker-than-expected U.S. retail sales, as investors are now focusing on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting.
AFRICA
Egypt’s blue-chip index closed 0.4% higher. Meanwhile, Uganda has turned back to banks as credit options dwindle, with its external debt stock increasing from $14.59 billion in June 2024 to $14.91 billion, according to The East African. Nigeria saw a sharp drop in total debt service payments, declining from $540 million in January 2025 to $276 million in February 2025, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
MIDDLE EAST
Most Gulf markets ended higher, supported by investor confidence. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index gained 0.3%, buoyed by the successful IPO of Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment (Entaj), which surged 30%—hitting the maximum daily limit allowed for newly-listed stocks. Additionally, S&P upgraded Saudi Arabia’s long-term sovereign credit rating from “A” to “A+”, citing the country’s social and economic transformation under Vision 2030. In the UAE, Abu Dhabi’s index added 0.3%, while Dubai’s main index rose 0.6%. Meanwhile, Qatar’s index dipped 0.2%, bucking the regional trend.
COMMODITIES
GOLD
Spot gold added 0.4%, reaching $2,997.51 per ounce, after having touched an all-time high of $3,004.86 on Friday. U.S. gold futures edged up 0.2% to $3,005.60, with investors awaiting the Federal Reserve’s rate decision.
OIL
Oil prices advanced, with U.S. crude oil futures rising 40 cents (0.6%) to $67.58 per barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, climbed 44 cents (0.62%) to $71.02 per barrel, as the United States vowed to continue strikes against Yemen’s Houthis until the Iran-aligned group ceases attacks on shipping.
