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Global Market Today | Asia shares wary, oil volatile as war drags on

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Global Market Today | Asia shares wary, oil volatile as war drags on
SYDNEY: Asian markets were in a wary mood on Monday as hostilities in the Gulf kept oil prices elevated, complicating an inflation outlook that should keep most central banks on pause at policy meetings this week, barring one possible hike.

In a possible hint of hope, the Wall Street Journal reported the Trump administration plans to announce as early as this week that multiple countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald Trump told the Financial Times it would be very ‌bad for the future ⁠of NATO ⁠if the allies did not help.

European Union foreign ministers will discuss on Monday bolstering a small naval mission in the Middle East, though any operation in the Strait would be fraught with risk.

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Oil markets were cautious as Brent rose 0.1% to $103.27 a barrel, while U.S. crude fell 0.7% to $97.99.


Policymakers in the U.S., UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Sweden hold their first full meetings since the start of the war, with energy prices looming over all of them.
“Central bank forecasts will immediately bias towards higher inflation and lower growth,” said Bruce Kasman, chief economist at JPMorgan. “Consistent with this view, we have pushed back or removed action for most central banks that were expected to move in March and April.” “Developments on the ground highlight the potential for further price increases and the likelihood that the risk premium will remain elevated.”

Japan’s ⁠Nikkei dipped ‌0.1%, while South Korean stocks added 0.9% after both lost ground last week. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged up 0.1%.

Regionally, the focus will be on Chinese economic data out on Monday with retail sales seen picking up in February after a dismal start to the ⁠year, while growth in industrial output is forecast to stay around 5%.

Top U.S. and Chinese officials are also meeting in Paris to discuss potential deals in agriculture, critical minerals and managed trade for U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to consider in Beijing.

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ALL THE CENTRAL BANKS

S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures bounced 0.4% in choppy trading. While earnings season is over, concerns about AI will be front and centre as Nvidia hosts its GTC conference at Silicon Valley this week, where it is expected to show off the latest advances in chips and AI infrastructure.

The coming energy shock, combined with pressure on fiscal budgets from higher defence spending, saw bond yields globally suffer double-digit increases last week.

Ten-year Treasury yields were at 4.26%, having climbed 32 basis points since the war began, while futures have sharply scaled back the scope for future rate cuts.

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The Federal Reserve ‌is considered certain to hold on Wednesday and the chance of an easing by June has come down to just 26%, from 69% a month earlier.

Investor attention will be on the tone of the statement and media conference, and whether the median “dot plot” projections from policymakers remove any further easing for this year.

A cautiously steady outcome ⁠is expected at all the other central bank meetings, bar the Reserve Bank of Australia which is seen likely to hike its cash rate a quarter point to 4.1% as it battles resurgent inflation at home.

The heightened volatility in markets has tended to benefit the U.S. dollar as a store of liquidity. The United States is also a net energy exporter, giving it a relative advantage over Europe and much of Asia which are net importers.

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The dollar was trading a touch lower early Monday, partly in reaction to the report that shipping might be escorted through the Strait of Hormuz.

The dollar eased to 159.47 yen, just off a 20-month top of 159.75, with investors wary in case a break of 160.00 triggers more warnings of intervention from Japan.

The euro was stuck near a seven-month low at $1.1440 , threatening a breach of major chart support at $1.1392 that could unleash a retreat toward $1.1065.

In commodity markets, gold was little changed at $5,022 an ounce, having so far gotten scant support as a safe haven or as a hedge against inflation risks. (Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

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Foxconn first-quarter revenue jumps 30% y/y

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Foxconn first-quarter revenue jumps 30% y/y


Foxconn first-quarter revenue jumps 30% y/y

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ORR: A Hedge Fund In ETF Clothing, Convincing Buy Opportunity (NASDAQ:ORR)

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ORR: A Hedge Fund In ETF Clothing, Convincing Buy Opportunity (NASDAQ:ORR)

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I focus on a rigorous fundamentals-foremost equity and credit research. I currently work as a financial advisor/planner, and do analysis in my free time. I have an undergrad in business administration, an MBA in finance, and currently am a doctoral candidate (a DBA with a concentration in Finance and Investment Management). My research style typically involves process-driven research, followed by blending several valuation models together to get a blended, 12 month price target. I enjoy utilizing full DCF analysis in conjunction with SOTP, peer/multiples analysis, and risk-adjusted approaches. I thoroughly enjoy reading filings, technical documentation relevant to the sector, and then translating that data into conclusions with actionable insights. I enjoy learning about the various sectors and companies I find myself researching, and always feel like there is something to learn. As a curious individual, equity and credit research is very fulfilling, and even fun!I always try to find 2-4 variables that drive value or hinder growth, stress test them, and then let fundamental evidence incorporated with book-value set my viewpoint for the research project. I enjoy the energy sector, commodities, tech, and financial sectors the most. I joined Seeking Alpha to share my thoughts with a wide audience. I originally started with sharing my analysis with a few of my friends who are also advisors and/or analysts. I am always open to a myriad of viewpoints, as I feel the most accurate viewpoints and research is made through a collection of great minds working together to figure something out. If you appreciate thorough research, and want to learn more about a company beyond just what is inside of their books, then I believe you will enjoy the research that I work on.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Short position through short-selling of the stock, or purchase of put options or similar derivatives in ORR over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not represent the opinions or recommendations of an SRO or broker-dealer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Readers should consult their own financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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Additional Disclosure: Alternative and Long/Short Fund Strategies
Alternative investment strategies, including long/short equity funds, involve risks that differ from and may be greater than those associated with traditional long-only equity investments. These risks include but are not limited to: (1) Leverage risk – the use of leverage magnifies both gains and losses and may result in the loss of more than the original amount invested; (2) Short-selling risk – short positions expose the fund to theoretically unlimited losses if the securities sold short increase in value; (3) Liquidity risk – certain portfolio holdings, particularly international small-cap equities, may be difficult to sell at favorable prices during periods of market stress; (4) Foreign investment risk – investments in non-U.S. securities involve currency fluctuation, political instability, differing regulatory environments, and potentially less liquid markets; (5) Concentration risk – non-diversified funds may invest a larger percentage of assets in fewer issuers, increasing the impact of any single investment’s decline; (6) Counterparty risk – derivative instruments and short-sale arrangements are subject to the creditworthiness of counterparties; (7) Manager risk – the fund’s performance depends on the sub-adviser’s skill in implementing the strategy, and past performance of the manager’s other vehicles does not guarantee future results in this fund.

Investors should carefully consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information and should be read carefully before investing. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemable. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Market price returns may differ from NAV returns.

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CF Industries: It's Still Underpriced Despite The Rally

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Occidental Petroleum: Why This Warren Buffett Stock Has A Lot More Upside (NYSE:OXY)

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Occidental Petroleum: Why This Warren Buffett Stock Has A Lot More Upside (NYSE:OXY)

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Focus on trying to piece together the big things (both at a macro and industry level) Twenty years in Asia (mainly China).

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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HDFC Defence Fund among 13 equity MFs that delivered over 4% returns last week. Check top 5

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The Economic Times

Of the 614 funds analysed, 576 posted positive returns, one remained flat, and 37 delivered negative returns.

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Egypt says it held calls with US Witkoff, regional counterparts

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Egypt says it held calls with US Witkoff, regional counterparts


Egypt says it held calls with US Witkoff, regional counterparts

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The 1-Minute Market Report, April 5, 2026 (NYSEARCA:SPY)

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My Dividend Stock Portfolio: New February Dividend Record - 100 Holdings With 12 Buys

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I spent 30 years in the institutional trenches as a trader, analyst, and portfolio manager, eventually running the equity trading desk at Northern Trust in Chicago. Those decades shaped my approach: stay disciplined, trust the data, and keep emotion out of the way. Since 2009, when I began publishing my stock selections, my portfolio has delivered solid long term results—compounding in the mid teens annually through 2025. Today I’m a private investor and investing coach, with a rules based framework that helps people build better portfolios. My work focuses on systematic thinking, behavioral awareness, and evidence over opinion. For my market outlook and model portfolio updates, visit zeninvestor.org. .

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NVDA, AVGO, GOOGL either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Cracker Barrel: Sharp Traffic Declines And Severe Margin Erosion

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Saudi non-oil sector hits first contraction since 2020 as war halts orders

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Saudi non-oil sector hits first contraction since 2020 as war halts orders

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AngioDynamics Growing, But With More Noise Than The Street Likes (NASDAQ:ANGO)

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AngioDynamics Growing, But With More Noise Than The Street Likes (NASDAQ:ANGO)

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Stephen Simpson is a freelance financial writer and investor.Spent close to 15 years on the Street (sell-side, buy-side, equities, bonds).

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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