China January - February Industrial Profits Rocket Higher, +15.2% Ytd Y/Y (Prior +0.6%)
China’s industrial sector posted a 15.2% year‑on‑year profit surge in the January‑February period, a dramatic acceleration from the modest 0.6% gain recorded for the entire previous year. The rebound is anchored in stronger export orders, renewed domestic demand and targeted policy stimulus. Analysts note that the sharp uptick signals a broader manufacturing revival, though regional war risks could temper future performance. The data underscores China’s pivotal role in global supply chains as profit momentum builds.
PBOC Is Expected to Set the USD/CNY Reference Rate at 6.9089 – Reuters Estimate
The People’s Bank of China is expected to set the USD/CNY reference rate at 6.9089, a key daily fixing watched across Asian FX markets. China’s managed‑floating system permits the yuan to trade within a ±2% band around this midpoint. The...
Barclays: ECB Set to Hike as Energy Shock Hits Europe, Fed Likely to Stay on Hold
Barclays predicts the European Central Bank will begin tightening as early as next month, with two rate hikes anticipated in 2024, driven by a renewed energy‑inflation shock stemming from the Middle East conflict. In contrast, the Federal Reserve is expected...
Venezuela Oil Output Rises to 1.1 Mln Bpd as Sector Recovery Gains Traction
Venezuela’s oil production climbed to roughly 1.1 million barrels per day in March, up from about 942,000 bpd in January. The rebound reflects easing U.S. sanctions, better access to diluents and a modest return of export flows, bringing output back to pre‑disruption...
Trump May Announce Iran Ceasefire Even WITHOUT a Deal, Israeli Media Reports
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a public cease‑fire announcement with Iran as early as Saturday, even if no formal agreement is in place. Israeli officials, cited by outlets such as N12 and Al Qahera, view the move as...
Fed's Miran, Trump's Puppet at the Bank, Calls for Rate Cuts, Like He Always Does
Federal Reserve Governor Miran delivered a strongly dovish speech, arguing that inflation risks are muted despite a recent oil price surge. He cited measurement challenges and minimal impact on market inflation expectations, while warning that the labor market is on...
SNB Chairman: We Are Prepared to Introduce Negative Rates but the Hurdle Is High
Swiss National Bank Chairman announced that the central bank is prepared to push policy rates into negative territory, but acknowledges a high hurdle before such a move. He emphasized that while the policy rate remains the primary tool, foreign‑exchange intervention...
A Technical Look at the Broader US Stock Indices with a Bonus Look at Nvidia
Nvidia’s shares slipped below their 200‑day moving average at $178.78, marking the first breach since May 2025 and signaling a bearish tilt. The broader market mirrored this move, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also closing beneath their respective 200‑day...
Tech Falters While Energy Surges: Today's Market Analysis
The technology sector posted sharp declines on the day, with Microsoft down 2.67% and Oracle slipping 4.10%, signaling heightened bearish sentiment. In contrast, the energy sector rallied, led by Exxon Mobil’s 2.94% gain and Chevron’s 1.88% rise, buoyed by higher...
Crude Oil Futures Higher on the Day but Remains Below Target Bullish Bias Levels
Crude oil futures experienced a dramatic swing from $84.37 to $101.67 after President Trump’s Truth Social remarks, highlighting the market’s sensitivity to geopolitical headlines. The contract now sits near $92.68, just below the 50% midpoint of $93.02, keeping sellers in...
S&P 500 Skyrockets as Trump Announces Ceasefire. Real TACO or Just Usual Jawboning?
U.S. equity markets surged as former President Donald Trump posted a cease‑fire announcement on Truth Social, prompting the S&P 500 to bounce sharply from near‑term lows. Technical charts show the index probing the 6,760 resistance level, with sellers poised to...
Iran Media Reportedly Says There Has Been No Direct or Indirect Contact with Trump
Iranian media reported that there was no direct or indirect contact between former President Donald Trump and Tehran after Trump threatened to attack West Asian energy facilities. The claim, relayed by energy‑market analyst Amena Bakr, suggests Trump withdrew his stance...
UAE Resumes Operations at Its Largest Gas Processing Facility After Shutdown Last Week
The United Arab Emirates has restarted its Habshan gas‑processing complex, the nation’s largest facility, after a week‑long shutdown triggered by Iranian attacks. The plant now supplies the domestic gas network, drawing fuel from Qatar via the Dolphin pipeline, but the...
Stocks Close the Day Lower. Dow -1.0%. S&P -1.5% Nasdaq -2.0
U.S. equity markets closed lower on the day, with the Dow down 1.0%, the S&P 500 down 1.5% and the Nasdaq slipping 2.0%. All three benchmarks finished the session beneath their 200‑day moving averages, a technical signal of sustained weakness....
Trump on Opening the Strait of Hormuz: You Need a Lot of Help
Former President Donald Trump asserted that the United States will not pursue a ceasefire with Iran, insisting on unconditional surrender while emphasizing the U.S. military’s abundant ammunition and troop levels. He suggested that China and Japan could play a role...
US Made Detailed Preparations for Potential Ground Troops in Iran - Report
Pentagon officials have drafted detailed plans to deploy U.S. ground forces into Iran, including two Marine units of roughly 2,200 troops each. The first unit is slated to arrive from Japan early next week, with a second sailing from California...
US Assessment: Iran Could Keep Hormuz Shut for Anywhere From One to Six Months
U.S. defense analysts warn Iran could shut the Strait of Hormuz for one to six months, creating a prolonged maritime bottleneck. The assessment, based on multiple sources, highlights the logistical nightmare of escorting tankers, which may need several destroyers per...
USDCAD Sellers Had Their Shot. They Missed. What Now Technically for the USDCAD Traders?
USDCAD opened near the month’s high of 1.3752 but could not sustain a breakout above the recent peak of 1.37476, sending the pair back toward the 100‑hour moving average at 1.37086. Sellers briefly pushed the price below this level to...
New Zealand Growth Undershoots as Domestic Demand Softens
New Zealand’s fourth‑quarter GDP expanded only 0.2% quarter‑on‑quarter, missing the 0.4% consensus, while annual growth held at 1.3% year‑on‑year, below the 1.7% forecast. Both production‑based (0.2% q/q) and expenditure‑based (0.1% q/q) measures signalled a sharp slowdown in domestic demand. The weaker...
Iran Warns of Total Destruction of Energy Infrastructure in Escalation Threat
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a shift to sustained attacks on U.S. and allied energy infrastructure, framing the move as retaliation for strikes on Iran's own facilities. The IRGC warned that any further aggression will trigger systematic destruction of...
Trump Says Does Not Want More Strikes on Iran Energy Facilities, Then Says "But"
Former President Donald Trump publicly stated he does not want additional U.S. strikes on Iranian energy facilities following Israel’s recent attack on a key Iranian gas field. He qualified the comment, indicating he could reconsider targeting more Iranian energy sites...
US Major Indices Closed Sharply Lower with the Dow and Russell 2000 Falling -1.6%
U.S. major stock indices closed sharply lower after Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s mildly hawkish press conference, despite the Fed holding rates steady. The Dow dropped 768 points, its biggest single‑day decline in weeks, while the Russell 2000 led losses at...
Qatar Says Ras Laffan Industrial City Has Sustained "Extensive Damage"
Qatar confirmed extensive damage to Ras Laffan Industrial City after multiple aerial strikes, including fires at the Exxon‑Mobil‑owned condensate refinery that processes up to 400,000 barrels per day. The Qatari interior ministry raised the security threat level, urging citizens to...
US March NAHB Housing Market Index 38 vs 37 Expected
The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index slipped to 38 in March, missing the consensus forecast of 37 and extending a 22‑month streak below the neutral 50 mark. Builder sentiment remains dampened by affordability constraints, as high price‑to‑income ratios and elevated...
US February Industrial Production vs +0.2% Expected
U.S. industrial production rose 0.2% in February, edging past the 0.1% forecast and following a robust 0.7% gain in January. Capacity utilization held at 76.3%, still well below its long‑run average, signaling lingering slack in the sector. Manufacturing output matched...
Chinese Trade Negotiator Li on Talks with US: We Reached Preliminary Consensus
Chinese trade negotiator Li announced a preliminary consensus with the United States covering tariff extensions, trade mechanisms, and economic concerns. Both sides emphasized stability of tariff levels and raised issues such as Section 301 probes and recent U.S. restrictive measures....
March Empire Fed Manufacturing Survey Index -0.20 versus 3.90 Estimate
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey slipped to a -0.20 index in March, well below the 3.90 estimate. New orders edged higher while shipments plunged, creating a mixed demand picture. Delivery times stretched and supply availability weakened, yet employment rose modestly...
Federal Judge Quashes Subpoenas Sent to Fed and Chairman Jerome Powell
A federal judge dismissed the subpoenas issued to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and the Fed over alleged renovation cost overruns, ruling they were primarily intended to harass and pressure the central bank. The decision was framed as a defense...
European Indices Close Week on a Down Note
European equity markets ended the day in the red, with France's CAC 40 falling 0.91% and Germany's DAX slipping 0.65%. The UK's FTSE 100, Spain's Ibex, and Italy's FTSE MIB also posted modest declines, ranging from 0.31% to 0.47%. Over...
USDCAD Technicals: The Ceiling for the Week Is Being Tested. Can the Buyers Push Above It?
The USDCAD pair is testing a well‑defined resistance ceiling at 1.36065, matching the week’s high. Repeated failures at this level have made it a critical barometer for market sentiment. A decisive break above could unlock bullish momentum toward the 50%...
Canada January Trade Balance -3.65B vs -0.9B Expected
Canada’s merchandise trade balance posted a C$3.65 billion deficit in January, far worse than the C$0.9 billion shortfall analysts expected. Exports slipped 4.7% to C$62.48 billion while imports fell 1.1% to C$66.13 billion, with motor‑vehicle and parts shipments plunging 21.2% to $5.4 billion – the...
US January Trade Balance -54.5B vs -66.6B Expected
The U.S. trade deficit narrowed to $54.5 billion in January, well below the $66.6 billion forecast and the revised $72.9 billion December figure. A surge in gold and other precious‑metal exports contributed roughly $9 billion of the improvement, while imports fell modestly. Capital‑goods exports,...
US Initial Claims 213K vs 215K Estimate
U.S. initial jobless claims came in at 213,000, modestly under the 215,000 forecast. The four‑week moving average slipped to 212,000, while continuing claims held steady at 1.85 million, matching expectations. Revised prior‑week figures show a small dip in both initial and...
US Housing Starts for January 1.487M versus 1.348M Estimate
U.S. housing starts surged to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.487 million in January, outpacing the 1.348 million estimate and reflecting a strong multifamily push. Building permits slipped to 1.376 million, missing the 1.410 million forecast, hinting at a softer pipeline. Housing completions...
The USD Is Mixed as the Market Prepares for the North American Session
The U.S. dollar opened the North American session mixed, firming against the euro and pound while slipping against the yen after testing 2026 highs. Technical analysis highlights key support and resistance levels on EUR/USD, GBP/USD and USD/JPY as traders brace...
US Energy Secretary Wright: Iran Operations to Take Weeks, Not Months
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Wright said Iran‑related naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz will last weeks, not months, and that a U.S. Navy escort for commercial tankers is expected by the end of the month. Washington is working with allied...
PBOC Is Expected to Set the USD/CNY Reference Rate at 6.8824 – Reuters Estimate
The People’s Bank of China set the USD/CNY reference rate at 6.8824, a 35‑month low for the dollar and a record‑strength yuan. The fixing, announced around 0115 GMT, follows a managed‑float system that permits a ±2% trading band. By choosing...
Japanese Wholesale Prices +2.0% Y/Y in February (2.1% Expected)
Japan's corporate goods price index (wholesale PPI) for February 2026 rose 2.0% year‑on‑year, slightly under the 2.1% forecast and down from 2.3% in January. On a month‑to‑month basis, the index slipped 0.1%, missing the expected 0.2% increase. The data indicates...
Economic & Event Calendar in Asia Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Eyes on the Warmongers Again.
Asian markets will watch Japan’s wholesale price index (PPI) on March 11, with analysts expecting a modest softening that could signal easing inflation pressures. However, the primary market narrative is shifting toward heightened geopolitical risk after the United States destroyed...
USDJPY Technicals: USDJPY Backs Off 158.89 Resistance. What Next?
The USD/JPY pair surged earlier today, testing the 158.89 resistance that halted rallies on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22. Sellers stepped in, pushing the pair down to a low of 157.96, now hovering near the 157.65‑157.97 swing zone. A decisive break below...
GBPUSD Technicals: GBPUSD Rebounds but Tests Key Resistance
The GBPUSD pair fell sharply early, slipping below the 1.3298‑1.3305 swing area and touching a low of 1.3282 before buyers pushed it back above the 100‑hour moving average at 1.3347. Improved risk sentiment—driven by lower oil prices, falling yields and...
EURUSD Tecnicals: EURUSD Rebounds as Oil Eases and Markets Stabilize
Crude oil slipped below $100 as speculation grew that G7 ministers may tap strategic reserves, calming inflation worries. U.S. 10‑year Treasury yields hovered near 4.135%, barely up, while equities modestly recovered from recent lows. The euro‑dollar pair rose to an...
The Good News? Crude Oil Is -16% Off the high.The Bad News? It Is 10% Higher on the Day
G7 finance ministers said they will keep monitoring oil markets and stand ready to release strategic petroleum reserves if needed. Crude oil peaked at $119.48, fell to $96.24, and now trades near $100. The price is 16% lower than its...
USDCAD Technicals: USDCAD Sellers Lean Against Key Short-Term Resistance
The U.S. dollar slipped slightly against the Canadian loonie, while remaining stronger versus most other major currencies. USDCAD found a low of 1.35242, testing a narrow support band between 1.35219 and 1.35316 before rebounding toward the 200‑bar moving average near...
Aureus Greenway Shares Soar on Trump-Backed Drone Merger
Aureus Greenway Holdings saw its stock surge about 55% after a Wall Street Journal report revealed a reverse merger with Powerus, a drone maker backed by President Trump’s sons. The deal will take Powerus public on Nasdaq and provides a...
BOJ Policymaker Himino: Underlying Inflation Gradually Accelerating to 2% Target
Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymaker Hiroshi Himino said underlying inflation is gradually accelerating toward the bank's 2% price‑stability target, while the central bank keeps monetary conditions broadly accommodative. He emphasized that the BOJ will fine‑tune the degree of accommodation but...
Nikkei Futures Are up 3.8%
Nikkei futures surged 3.8% to 56,310, reversing a 3.6% drop the day before. The index remains up 7.7% year‑to‑date and 45% over the past year, reflecting strong investor appetite for low‑multiple Japanese stocks and tech exposure. The Bank of Japan...
Japan Capital CPI Slips Under BOJ Target in Policy Test
Tokyo’s February CPI showed headline inflation at 1.6% year‑on‑year, while core inflation slipped to 1.8%, falling below the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the first time in 16 months. The core‑core measure, which excludes fresh food and energy, accelerated...
PBOC Cuts FX Risk Reserve Ratio to 0%, Slowing Yuan Appreciation
China's PBOC will cut the foreign‑exchange risk reserve ratio for forward FX sales from 20% to 0% starting March 2, 2026. The move aims to ease hedging costs, curb excessive yuan appreciation, and signal a shift from emergency policy tools....
Dollar May yet Benefit From Further US-Iran Geopolitical Escalation - BofA
Bank of America sees the U.S. dollar gaining strength if geopolitical tensions with Iran intensify. Rising odds—now 69%—of a U.S. military strike by June could push oil prices higher while global equities weaken, a combination that traditionally benefits the greenback....
