Tech stocks rise, Nvidia's Q1 guidance soars; crypto rebounds, Circle jumps 35%.

U.S. Trade Representative: Global Import Tariffs May Reach 15%

The U.S. Trade Representative announced that the global import tariff rate on certain countries could rise from the recently implemented 10% to 15% or higher. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that deemed previous tariff measures lacked legal authorization, prompting Trump to change the legal basis for continuing the tariffs.

Impact on EU Exports

The new tariff plan could affect approximately €4.2 billion worth of EU exports, imposing rates above the agreed 15% limit in the EU-U.S. trade agreement. Products such as cheese, butter, certain agricultural goods, and various plastics, textiles, and chemicals will see increased tariffs.

EU Commission spokesperson Olof Gill emphasized that EU products must continue to enjoy competitive treatment and that tariffs should not exceed previously agreed limits. Approximately 7% of EU exports will face tariffs above the 15% cap.

Federal Reserve Insights

The New York Fed indicated that a key global interest rate is rising due to decreased attractiveness of government bonds. This shift is attributed to soaring government debt in developed economies.

Federal Reserve official Schmidt stated that high inflation remains a critical issue, although he did not specify how monetary policy should respond. He noted that the job market is performing well but did not clarify how these factors influence his outlook on monetary policy.

Fed Independence Concerns

Atlanta Fed President Bostic warned that the rift between the Fed and the White House is eroding public trust in the central bank's independence. He expressed concern over the legal and rhetorical battles surrounding the Fed, which have led to public skepticism about its autonomy.

Tech Giants Commit to Self-Sustaining Power Supply

Tech executives are set to meet with Trump to pledge self-built power supplies for new data centers, aiming to avoid additional energy costs for taxpayers. Companies involved include Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, and OpenAI.

Iran-U.S. Indirect Negotiations

Iran's Foreign Minister arrived in Geneva for the third round of indirect talks with the U.S. Vice President expressed hope for the negotiations, emphasizing that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons.

Market Overview

U.S. stock markets experienced a quiet upward trend, with the S&P 500 rising 0.81% and the Nasdaq gaining 1.26%. Major tech stocks like Microsoft and Nvidia saw significant gains.

Cryptocurrency markets also surged, with Bitcoin reaching $70,000 and Ethereum surpassing $2,050.

Hong Kong IPO Market Booms

The Hong Kong IPO market has seen explosive growth in 2026, with over 20 companies completing IPOs, raising a total of HKD 892.26 billion, a 1013.59% increase year-on-year.

Company Earnings Highlights

• Ctrip Group reported a net profit of RMB 33.29 billion for 2025, up 95.08% year-on-year.
• Xiansheng Pharmaceutical expects a profit of RMB 1.3 to 1.4 billion for the fiscal year 2025, a growth of 80.1% to 93.9%.

Conclusion

The financial landscape is shifting with new tariffs, Fed policy discussions, and a booming IPO market in Hong Kong, reflecting broader economic trends and investor sentiment.