Global Markets Rattle as Trump Targets Fed, Gold Hits Record, Bitcoin Surges Past $88K

🇺🇸 United States

• Equities: U.S. markets tumbled sharply, with the S&P 500 down 2.36%, the Nasdaq dropping 2.55%, and the Dow falling 2.48%. The selloff was driven by renewed concerns about central bank independence following President Trump’s direct criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
• Bonds: Yields on long-term U.S. Treasuries climbed, with 20-year bonds surpassing 4.9%, as investors rotated into short-duration instruments and foreign markets.
• Currency: The U.S. dollar fell to its lowest level in three years, increasing demand for safe-haven assets such as gold.
• Key Developments:
  • The Trump administration proposed a $4.5 trillion tax cut package, raising fears over ballooning fiscal deficits.
  • Speculation rose about the potential dismissal of Fed Chair Powell, fueling market volatility and political risk concerns.

🇪🇺 Eurozone

• Equities: European stocks declined around 0.7%, reflecting global risk-off sentiment driven by U.S. instability and rising trade tension.
• Currency: The euro rallied to a three-year high versus the dollar, supported by capital flight from U.S. assets and growing investor uncertainty.
• Key Developments:
  • Eurozone manufacturers and exporters are reassessing operations amid potential fallout from U.S. tariffs on imports.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• Equities: The FTSE 100 traded mixed, reflecting caution around U.S. trade policy and softer-than-expected corporate earnings from key sectors.
• Key Developments:
  • Investors are awaiting further clarification on whether the UK will be granted exemptions from proposed U.S. auto tariffs.

🇨🇳 China

• Equities: The SSE Composite Index remained resilient, closing at 3,291.43, as domestic sentiment held steady despite global turbulence.
• Key Developments:
  • Chinese officials warned that countries making trade pacts with the U.S. at Beijing’s expense would face countermeasures, intensifying geopolitical tensions.

🇯🇵 Japan

• Equities: The Nikkei 225 declined amid broader global risk aversion and deepening fears of a cyclical slowdown.
• Currency: The yen strengthened against the dollar, supported by safe-haven inflows and growing demand for Japanese bonds.

🌍 EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa)

• Equities: EMEA region markets declined in sympathy with global equities, as trade frictions and U.S. political developments weighed on investor confidence.
• Key Developments:
  • Canada’s S&P/TSX fell 0.7%, driven by energy sector losses and sensitivity to U.S.-China trade narratives.

🛢️ Commodities & 🪙 Cryptocurrencies

• Gold: Gold prices surged to a record $3,391.62/oz, driven by a weakening dollar, inflation concerns, and broad-based risk aversion.
• Oil: WTI crude rose to $63.73 per barrel, while Brent crude reached $66.63 amid renewed supply concerns and geopolitical frictions.
• Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin crossed the $87,000 mark, posting its strongest rally in weeks as investors moved into alternative assets amid rising macro uncertainty.

📌 Notable Headlines

• Trump escalates criticism of Fed Chair Powell, raising concerns over central bank independence.
• U.S. proposes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, sparking fears of unsustainable debt levels.
• Gold hits all-time high amid falling dollar and flight to safety.
• Bitcoin surges past $87,000 as crypto demand rises during market uncertainty.
• European stocks dip on U.S. political risk and global trade tensions.