ECONOMY

IMF MEETINGS BEGIN AMID WORLD TRADE TENSION

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The International Monetary Fund and World Bank's semi-annual meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors begins in Washington on Monday amid escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

OIL PRICES RISE AFTER ISRAEL ATTACK ON IRAN

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Financial markets reacted sharply Friday to Israeli "preemptive" strikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites. Oil prices surged, stocks tumbled, and a widespread sell-off ensued as investors braced for a potential full-scale war. Concerns were amplified by the possibility of Iranian retaliation and President Trump's warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.

JPMORGAN CHASE UNVEILS $1.5 TRILLION NATIONAL SECURITY INVESTMENT PLAN

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JPMorgan Chase has announced a sweeping 10-year strategy to finance and invest in industries deemed vital to U.S. national security and economic resilience. The bank said it will allocate up to $10 billion in direct equity and venture capital investments while facilitating $1.5 trillion in funding for companies across defense, energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

MARKETS TUMBLE AS TRUMP SLAMS POWELL, STOCKS, DOLLAR DROPS WHILE GOLD SOARS

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US financial markets plunged dramatically on Monday as President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling him "a major loser" for not lowering interest rates quickly enough. The S&P 500 fell 2.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.5%, and the Nasdaq tumbled more than 2.5%.

GOLD HITS $4000 FOR THE FIRST TIME

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Gold prices surpassed $4,000 for the first time on Wednesday, driven by investor demand for the safe-haven asset amid expectations of US interest rate cuts and concerns surrounding a US government shutdown. The rally also follows worries that a technology-driven surge in equity markets may have created an asset bubble. Gold has seen robust demand throughout the year, rising more than 50 percent, fueled by factors including global economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and geopolitical crises and Donald Trump's trade war and geopolitical crises.

HOW THE TARIFF WAR WILL AFFECT THE ECONOMY AND WHAT TO EXPECT MOVING FORWARD

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The recent escalation in trade tensions between the United States and China has sent a global plunge through global financial markets, marking one of the most significant economic crashes since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 4, 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by a staggering 2,231 points, following a previous day's drop of 1,679 points, triggered by China's retaliatory tariffs in response to President Trump's aggressive tariff policies. This two-day sell-off erased a colossal $6.4 trillion in market value, underscoring the profound impact of tariff disputes on global economic stability.

WHITE HOUSE CONFIRMS TALKS ON ACQUIRING 10% INTEL STAKE

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The US government may soon own a significant stake in chip giant Intel, as the Trump administration confirmed Tuesday that it is working on a deal to acquire a 10% share in the company. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the proposed agreement could involve swapping existing government grants for Intel shares. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, "The president wants to put America's needs first, both from a national security and economic perspective."

US HOME SALES SURGE PAST EXPECTATIONS

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Sales of previously owned homes in the United States beat analysts' forecasts in February, jumping 4.2 percent to an annual rate of 4.26 million, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The increase, driven by rising inventory, exceeded expectations of 3.95 million, Briefing.com reported Thursday.