Asian Stocks Plunge as New Tariffs and Inflation Concerns Shake Markets
February 28, 2025
Asian stocks declined following President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on Chinese imports and a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect shortly.
Despite Nvidia's impressive fourth-quarter earnings, the tech sector faced challenges as investors took profits after recent gains.
Traders are keenly awaiting upcoming Personal Consumption Expenditure data, which is crucial amid ongoing inflation and growth concerns.
Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, reported strong demand for the new Blackwell AI chips, generating approximately $11 billion in revenue, although overall growth is expected to decline.
India's Q3 GDP is projected to rebound to 6.3%, driven by increased government spending despite weak household demand.
The current market drop raises expectations for potential adjustments by the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates.
Overall, the market's response underscores the fragility of financial markets amid geopolitical tensions, necessitating adaptability from companies to maintain stability.
However, Nvidia is anticipating a drop in gross margins to 71%, the lowest in a year, raising concerns among investors.
In contrast, Snowflake, an AI data cloud company, saw a 4.5% increase in its stock after exceeding profit and revenue expectations, highlighting resilience in the AI sector.
Berkshire Hathaway's stock rose by 1.7%, reflecting investor confidence in Warren Buffett's strategy amidst a volatile market.
Despite market volatility, traders may find opportunities to profit from price fluctuations with careful risk management.
Looking ahead, investors will closely monitor economic data, corporate earnings, and signals from the Federal Reserve to gauge future market direction.
Summary based on 240 sources
Get a daily email with more World News stories
Sources

CNBC • Feb 28, 2025
CNBC Daily Open: Nvidia’s slump and Trump’s renewed tariffs rocked markets