This week in the United States brought both turbulence and resilience in equity markets as trade policy developments weighed heavily on sentiment.

Initially, U.S. stocks declined sharply in anticipation of the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs, creating an uneasy start to the week.
However, a midweek announcement that higher reciprocal tariffs would be paused for 90 days for most countries sparked a dramatic rebound, with the Nasdaq Composite notching a historic single-day gain.

Despite this upswing, the exclusion of China from the pause and subsequent tariff escalations between the world’s two largest economies tempered enthusiasm.
Ultimately, the S&P 500 ended the week up by 5.70%, the Nasdaq rose by 7.29%, and the Russell 2000 posted a modest 1.82% gain.

The Federal Reserve’s March meeting minutes revealed a cautious stance, emphasizing increased uncertainty around economic growth, inflation, and employment.

Policymakers indicated that ongoing trade tensions could complicate their approach to monetary policy.

Meanwhile, consumer price data for March offered slight relief, showing core inflation rose only 0.1% month over month. Nonetheless, consumer sentiment continued its downward trend, reaching its lowest level in nearly three years. Treasury yields broadly surged—particularly at the longer end of the curve—reflecting heightened caution as bond prices fell amid the week’s renewed concerns about trade policies.

European equities navigated volatile conditions driven by escalating trade tensions and countermeasures. The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 Index fell 1.92% in local currency terms, though losses eased slightly after news that the U.S. would delay higher tariffs for most partners. Germany’s DAX slipped 1.30%, Italy’s FTSE MIB lost 1.79%, and France’s CAC 40 declined 2.34%. The UK’s FTSE 100 gave up 1.13%. Trade uncertainty weighed heavily on investor confidence, especially as potential spillover effects could impede broader economic recovery.

In response, several central banks heightened their vigilance. The European Central Bank urged banks to more frequently assess their funding positions, while the Bank of England requested updated information about market liquidity. The BoE also postponed several long-dated gilt auctions, acknowledging the need for flexibility amid ongoing volatility. Furthermore, the BoE’s Financial Policy Committee cautioned that financial stability could be challenged if global trade remains fragmented and financial markets grow more stressed.

Recent economic indicators hinted at softer industrial activity in key regions. German industrial output declined by 1.3% in February, owing to weakness in construction and energy. Meanwhile, Italy’s industrial production dropped 0.9%, adding to concerns that growth might lag expectations. Italy also faces potential tariffs on significant trade flows with the U.S.

Japanese stocks faltered as tariff fears sparked a worldwide flight to safety. Both the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX Index slipped around 0.6% for the week, weighed down by anxiety over new U.S. levies. Some relief arrived when the tariff rate for most U.S. trading partners was lowered to 10% for 90 days, although Japan’s automotive exports remained subject to higher rates. The yen strengthened as investors sought safe-haven assets, and Japanese authorities emphasized the importance of global cooperation to manage the trade fallout.

In China, markets posted weekly declines but found some support on hopes of fresh government stimulus to counter U.S. tariff pressures. The CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indices suffered moderate losses, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong tumbled more sharply. Despite announcing an increase in tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, Chinese officials downplayed the significance of the ongoing “numbers game.” Analysts predict that tariff measures could reduce China’s gross domestic product by as much as 1% to 2%, though policymakers appear ready to offset any downturn through additional fiscal actions. Their aim is to bolster domestic consumption and maintain economic stability, reflecting Beijing’s long-term strategy of reducing external vulnerabilities while sustaining growth momentum.

While uncertainty lingers, ongoing vigilance and adaptive policies around the world will remain key to navigating the challenges in the weeks ahead.


Sources: <a href="https://londonlovesbusiness.com/the-significant-events-in-the-global-economy-over-the-past-week-38/" target="_blank"> London Loves Business </a>

<a href="https://www.ccn.com/analysis/business/projected-us-interest-rates-in-5-years/" target="_blank"> CCN </a>

Press Release

small_londonlovesbusiness (1).jpg

thumbnail_londonlovesbusiness (1).jpg

londonlovesbusiness (1).jpg

The significant events in the global economy over the past week

large_PR_tophead.jpg

medium_PR_tophead.jpg

small_PR_tophead.jpg

thumbnail_PR_tophead.jpg

PR_tophead.jpg

small_msn.jpg

thumbnail_msn.jpg

msn.jpg

Silver steadies as trade fears ease

small_barrons.jpg

thumbnail_barrons.jpg

barrons.jpg

Gold Price Rises. Why It’s One to Watch on Liberation Day

small_morningstar.jpg

thumbnail_morningstar.jpg

morningstar.jpg

London Up Ahead of Anticipated Spring Budget Cuts

small_business_news_this_week.jpg

thumbnail_business_news_this_week.jpg

business_news_this_week.jpg

small_mediaobserver (10).jpg

thumbnail_mediaobserver (10).jpg

thewallstreetjournal.jpg

Next Week’s Fed Meeting Key for Bond Markets

Gold Held Steady Amid Ceasefire Hopes and CPI Anticipation

small_khaleejtimes.jpg

thumbnail_khaleejtimes.jpg

khaleejtimes.jpg

UAE: Gold prices recover, jump Dh2 per gram in early trade

EMEA Morning Briefing: Markets Soak in Tariff Relief, ECB Decision in Focus

Gold remains steady as demand for safe-haven assets continues

Yuan At Risk, Bond Yields Retreat, PBoC Maintains Stability

Gold prices stabilise amid profit-taking, but bullish momentum holds

small_proactive (1).jpg

thumbnail_proactive (1).jpg

proactive (1).jpg

Dow Jones leads Wall Street lower amid renewed consumer spending fears

small_spotify.jpg

thumbnail_spotify.jpg

spotify.jpg

Gold Market Insights: Bas Kooijman on Pulse 95 Radio

FTSE 100 to edge higher; yen rises

Tariffs Could Cause Treasury Yield Curve to Flatten

Gold Market Sees Supply Crunch Amid Trump Tariff Fears

Dollar strengthens as markets digest trade tariffs and brace for economic data

small_sky_news_arabia.jpg

thumbnail_sky_news_arabia.jpg

sky_news_arabia.jpg

(AR) Bas Kooijman on Sky News Arabia: 2025 Market Outlook

small_Press release block.jpg

thumbnail_Press release block.jpg

Press release block.jpg

33% of the world is financially literate; the UAE scores 30.7%

LONDON MARKET EARLY CALL: ECB set to cut rates after US Fed holds

Gold Prices Flatline as Markets Await Fed Decision, Trump’s Tariffs Fuel Uncertainty

small_zawya.jpg

thumbnail_zawya.jpg

zawya.jpg

DHF Capital reports strong 2024 performance and announces strategic goals for 2025

Bas Kooijman on Sky News Arabia: 2025 Market Outlook

The WSJ Dollar Index Falls 0.2% to 103.28

The WSJ Dollar Index Rises 0.29% to 102.83

small_thearmchairtrader.jpg

thumbnail_thearmchairtrader.jpg

thearmchairtrader.jpg

Gold price forecast for 2025: Can it go to $3000?

Oil Slips as Fed Rate-Cut Outlook Fuels Demand Worries

small_raconteur.jpg

thumbnail_raconteur.jpg

raconteur.jpg

How AI will impact four key areas of the tax function

British Pound Remains Stable Despite Economic Stagnation

Nasdaq, S&P, Dow are lower as markets gear up for holiday-shortened week

Gold holds steady: Fed and global monetary policies key to future trajectory

Dollar Weakens Amid Fed Speculation and Mixed Inflation Signals

small_gulfnews.jpg

thumbnail_gulfnews.jpg

gulfnews.jpg

FDI to power UAE’s economy

Standard Chartered expands UAE private banking team to serve growing pool of global ultra-rich

Gold Market At Risk Ahead Of Key U.S. Inflation Data

small_the_matrix_green_pill.jpg

thumbnail_the_matrix_green_pill.jpg

the_matrix_green_pill.jpg

The Matrix Green Pill Podcast || EP 221 || Bas Kooijman

small_gulf_insider (1).jpg

thumbnail_gulf_insider (1).jpg

gulf_insider (1).jpg

Leading Innovation in Finance: Bas Kooijman, CEO, DHF Capital

Gold prices hold steady as markets await Powell’s comments and key US jobs data

Dollar strengthens amid trade tensions and economic resilience

small_bolsamania.jpg

thumbnail_bolsamania.jpg

bolsamania.jpg

(ES) El euro cae ante la tensión política en Francia mientras el dólar mantiene su "atractivo"

Has Gold Lost Its Luster?

small_seeking_alpha.jpg

thumbnail_seeking_alpha.jpg

seeking_alpha.jpg

USB joins Goldman among big banks predicting resumption of gold rally

small_thenationalnews (2).jpg

thumbnail_thenationalnews (2).jpg

thenationalnews (2).jpg

Can Nvidia's Blackwell chip boon carry its stock forward beyond Trump's bump?

small_tradingview.jpg

thumbnail_tradingview.jpg

tradingview.jpg

EMEA Morning Briefing: Investors Parse Powell's Caution

(ES) ¿Se desplomará el euro hasta la paridad con el dólar?

What Trump 2.0 would mean for investors in the Middle East

small_the_helply_podcast.jpg

thumbnail_the_helply_podcast.jpg

the_helply_podcast.jpg

Bas’s Story; A Deep Dive into Balance and Resilience

DHF Capital strengthens leadership team with Roma Kestaviciene as COO

small_cnbc.jpg

thumbnail_cnbc.jpg

cnbc.jpg

(AR) Bas Kooijman on CNBC Arabia: Current dynamics in the gold market

Gold dips on rising yields, markets reassess monetary policy direction

small_financial_investigator.jpg

thumbnail_financial_investigator.jpg

financial_investigator.jpg

(NL) DHF Capital: Wereldwijde markten passen zich aan

small_business_lobbies.jpg

thumbnail_business_lobbies.jpg

business_lobbies.jpg

Sam Walton’s Blueprint for HNWIs: From Walmart to Wealth

(ES) El oro renueva máximos históricos y rompe la barrera de los 2.800 dólares

small_tyn.jpg

thumbnail_tyn.jpg

tyn.jpg

(ES) Informe financiero semanal global

small_istoe.jpg

thumbnail_istoe.jpg

istoe.jpg

(PT) Moedas Globais: dólar sobe e euro cede com aposta de cortes de juros pelo Fed e BCE

small_the_national.jpg

thumbnail_the_national.jpg

the_national.jpg

Global stock markets up as strong US jobs report calms nerves about economy

small_valor_investe.jpg

thumbnail_valor_investe.jpg

valor_investe.jpg

(PT) Ouro recua pressionado por dados de emprego mais fortes nos EUA

small_yahoofinance (1).jpg

thumbnail_yahoofinance (1).jpg

yahoofinance (1).jpg

Barnier’s French borrowing target ‘unreachable’, warns Barclays

small_el_economista.jpg

thumbnail_el_economista.jpg

el_economista.jpg

(ES) El BoJ descarta más subidas de tipos a corto plazo y hace caer al yen un 3% en 4 días

Yuan Rebounds on Stimulus Hopes

EMEA Morning Briefing: Inflation Data in Focus as Earnings Continue

Gold sets new record as election risks and economic data loom

small_financial_express.jpg

thumbnail_financial_express.jpg

financial_express.jpg

Action-packed week for equity market: Jobs, earnings and inflation data to be in focus

small_ondenemerslounge.jpg

thumbnail_ondenemerslounge.jpg

ondenemerslounge.jpg

(NL) Ondernemerslounge (RTLZ) | Rowan Rozemond van DHF Capital | 10-28

UAE: Gold prices continue to drop on Friday, fall Dh2 per gram since Thursday morning

Gold recorded new all-time high this week as US election, geopolitical tensions heat up