Global Markets Surge on Tariff Relief and Tech Optimism While Dollar Slips to 3-Year Low

Global Markets Summary – April 14, 2025

🇺🇸 United States

• Equities U.S. markets closed higher, buoyed by President Trump’s temporary tariff exemptions on smartphones and computers. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.8% to 40,212.71, the S&P 500 gained 0.8% to 5,405.97, and the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.6.
• Bonds The 10-year Treasury yield edged down to 4.44%, reflecting investor caution amid ongoing trade policy uncertainty.
• Currency The U.S. dollar weakened, with the Dollar Index falling to 99.79, its lowest in three years, as investors reacted to inconsistent tariff policy.
• Notable Stocks Apple Inc. shares rebounded 2% following the tariff exemptions, while Meta Platforms fell over 2% as its antitrust trial commenced.

🇪🇺 Eurozone

• *Equities: European stocks advanced, with the STOXX 600 rising 1.4%, driven by gains in technology shares after the U.S. eased tariffs on Chinese electronics.
• *Currency: The euro strengthened, nearing a three-year high against the dollar at $1.1359, amid shifting investor sentiment.
• *Outlook: Goldman Sachs downgraded its STOXX 600 forecast, now expecting a 7% earnings contraction for 2025, citing tariff impacts.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• Equities: The FTSE 100 climbed 2.14% to 8,134.34, led by energy and tech sectors. Barclays PLC outperformed, gaining .83%.
• Currency: The British pound rose 0.4% to $1.31825, approaching a six-month high, as investors sought alternatives to the weakening dollar.
• Notable Developments: Wood Group shares surged 11.5% following a takeover proposal from Dubai-based Sdara.

🇨🇳 China

• Equities: Chinese ADRs saw broad gains; I-Mab soared 43% to $0.96, leading the S&P/BNY Mellon index of ADRs to a 1.4% increase.
• Trade: March exports surged as companies accelerated shipments ahead of potential new U.S. tariffs.
• Currency: The yuan remained under pressure amid ongoing trade tensions.

🇯🇵 Japan

• Eqities: The Nikkei 225 rose 1.5% to 34,086.16, driven by gains in iPhone-related stocks after the U.S. exempted certain electronics from tariffs.
• Notable stocks: TDK surged 5.2%, and Advantest gained 3.84%, reflecting optimism in the tech sector.

🌍 EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)

• Equities: Emerging markets showed resilience; the S&P/BNY Mellon Emerging Markets ADR Index increased by 1.2%.
• Currencies: The South African rand and Turkish lira appreciated against the dollar, benefiting from the greenback’s weakness

🛢️ Commodities

• Oil: Brent crude rose 0.43% to $65.16 per barrel, supported by China’s increased crude imports and U.S. exemptions.

Gold: Gold prices firmed, with U.S. futures up 0.4% to $3,237.60, as investors sought safe-haven assets amid tariff uncertainties.

• Natural Gas: U.S. natural gas futures fell about 6% to a nine-week low, pressured by record output and lower demand forecasts.

₿ Cryptocurrencies

• Bitcoin*: Bitcoin remained steady at $84,855.84, navigating a narrow range amid limited tariff relief and ongoing market risks.
• Ethereum: Ethereum experienced gains, contributing to a broader rise in major cryptocurrencies.