China, Hong Kong And Europe Markets Dip; Dollar Strengthens – Global Markets Today While US Slept – SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF (ARCA:ADIV)

On Thursday, March 20, U.S. markets closed lower as financiers absorbed fresh financial information, Federal Reserve policy signals, and growing tariff issues in the middle of continuous volatility. Regardless of current selling pressure from soft signs and weakening belief, equities had actually advanced in 3 of the previous 4 sessions.

The Fed held rates of interest consistent, predicted 2 cuts later on this year, and flagged slower development together with raised inflation while unpredictability around trade policy continues.

Financial information revealed that the Q4 bank account deficit narrowed to $303.9 billion. Out of work claims edged approximately 223,000, a little listed below expectations, and the Philadelphia Fed Production Index was up to 12.5 in March– below 18.1 however ahead of projections.

A lot of S&P 500 sectors decreased, led by losses in products, customer staples, and tech. Energy and energies, nevertheless, bucked the pattern, closing greater.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.03% to 41,953.32, the S&P 500 slipped 0.22% to 5,662.89, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.33% to 17,691.63.

Asia Markets Today

• On Friday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed the session lower by 0.51% at 37,651.50, led by losses in the Shipbuilding, Production, and Provider sectors.
• Australia’s S&P/ ASX 200 was up 0.17% and closed at 7,932.10.
• India’s Nifty 50 increased 0.73% to 23,359.15 and Nifty 500 was up 1.01% at 21,283.85.
• China’s Shanghai Composite decreased 1.29% to 3,364.83, and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 moved 1.52% to 3,914.70.
• Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 2.19%, ending the session at 23,689.72.
• Chinese stocks fell as profit-taking struck stimulus and AI-driven gains, dragging significant indexes lower. More comprehensive Asian markets were combined, with restricted motion in the middle of worldwide financial care and political unpredictability.

Eurozone at 05:45 AM ET

• The European STOXX 50 was down 0.82%.
• Germany’s DAX decreased 1.08%.
• France’s CAC fell 0.72%.
• U.K.’s FTSE 100 index traded lower by 0.41%

Products at 05:45 AM ET

• Petroleum WTI was trading lower by 0.19% at $67.94/ bbl, and Brent was down 0.21% at $71.86/ bbl.
• Gas decreased 1.41% to $3.920.
• Gold was trading lower by 0.25% at $3,036.39, Silver was down 1.31% to $33.545, and Copper moved 1.31% to $5.0458.
• Gold costs dipped as the dollar enhanced, and financiers took earnings after a series of record highs. Regardless of the pullback, bullion is on track for a 3rd weekly gain in the middle of safe-haven need, trade war issues, and rate-cut hopes.

U.S. Futures at 05:45 AM ET

Dow futures were down 0.33%, S&P 500 futures fell 0.34% and Nasdaq 100 futures decreased 0.41%.

Forex at 05:45 AM ET

• The U.S. dollar index increased 0.21% to 104.04, the USD/JPY increased 0.38% to 149.36, and the USD/AUD acquired 0.27% to 1.5908.
• The U.S. dollar enhanced on Friday, continuing its rebound after the Federal Reserve signified no instant strategies to cut rates of interest.

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