🌅 Morning Update (25.02.2025) 📉🔥

🔻 Asia in the Red:

Asian markets slid on Tuesday, with tech stocks leading losses ahead of Nvidia’s earnings 🖥️📉.

🇯🇵 Nikkei was the worst hit, plunging 1.23%, while 🇭🇰 Hang Seng fell 1% as Chinese markets dropped 0.5-0.9%.

🇰🇷 KOSPI held up better, slipping just 0.49% after a BOK rate cut 📉.

💾 Tech Tensions Rising:

Reports suggest the Trump administration is planning tighter restrictions on Nvidia chips and semiconductor exports to 🇨🇳 China. This follows moves to scrutinize Chinese investments in key U.S. sectors, escalating U.S.-China tensions 🔥.

🏦 South Korea Eases Further:

The BOK cut rates by 25 bps to 2.75%, marking its third cut in this cycle. The 2025 GDP forecast was slashed from 1.9% to 1.5%, citing weaker consumer sentiment and export risks 🚨.

🛢️ Oil Gains on Sanctions:

Brent crude ⛽ hit $74.59, and WTI reached $71.06, rising 0.6-0.7% after the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on Iran’s oil sector. More than 30 entities across 🇦🇪 UAE, 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, and 🇨🇳 China were targeted 🛑.

⚠️ Trade War Heats Up:

🇺🇸 Trump reaffirmed 25% tariffs on 🇲🇽 Mexico and 🇨🇦 Canada imports from March 4, fueling global trade fears. Meanwhile, 🇦🇺 Australia’s Treasurer is in Washington, pushing for a steel & aluminum tariff exemption 🤝.

🏆 Gold Shines, Yields Drop:

🟡 Gold neared $3,000/oz as investors sought safety amid trade war risks and Fed rate cut bets. 📉 Treasury yields hit new lows:

📉 10-year yield: 4.377%

📉 2-year yield: 4.156%

📈 Buffett’s Big Bet:

🇯🇵 Japanese trading houses soared 5-10% after Warren Buffett announced increasing Berkshire’s stakes. Berkshire’s market value hit $1.08T, boosted by a record quarterly profit 🚀.

🚗 Tesla’s EU Slump:

📉 Tesla’s EU & UK sales collapsed 45.2% YoY in January, with market share falling to 1% (from 1.8%). Meanwhile, 🇨🇳 SAIC Motor surged 37%, overtaking Tesla with a 2.3% market share ⚡.

🏠 China’s Property Woes:

A Reuters poll sees home prices dropping 2.5% in 2025, with a recovery not expected until 2026. Property sales are set to shrink 5.7%, and investment is forecasted to fall 7% 🏚️📉.

☮️ Russia-Ukraine Talks:

Despite 🇺🇸 U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, a peace deal remains elusive. 🇷🇺 Putin signaled eventual European involvement, but trust-building with Washington is the priority. He also expressed openness to military spending cuts, though a quick resolution seems unlikely 🤝🕊️.

📊 Market in Focus: A big week ahead with Nvidia earnings, Fed expectations, and trade tensions dominating headlines! Stay tuned 🔥📉📈.