U.S. stock futures were largely flat Tuesday night as investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s rate decision, after major indexes posted modest gains earlier in the day but pulled back as oil prices surged. The broad market index closed up 0.25% at 6,716.09, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.47% to finish at 22,479.53. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 46.85 points, or 0.1%, to end at 46,993.26.
Crude prices climbed to their highest levels since August 2022 בעקבות escalating Middle East tensions, including Iranian attacks and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while President Donald Trump signaled the U.S. may not rely on NATO allies in the region.
Markets expect the Fed to keep interest rates unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, but investors are closely watching for guidance on how rising oil prices could influence inflation and future policy. Despite caution driven by geopolitical risks and concerns about artificial intelligence disruption, sentiment is supported by solid economic conditions, reasonable valuations, and strong corporate earnings.
In company news, Micron’s upcoming results are in focus after a strong rally this year, while Lululemon fell on weak guidance, DocuSign rose on upbeat results, and Oklo declined after reporting losses.
Meanwhile, the SEC is considering scrapping mandatory quarterly reporting in favor of semiannual updates, and the U.S. dollar has strengthened as a safe-haven amid the conflict, though analysts believe this rebound may be temporary due to underlying economic challenges.
Marco Polo Marine Secures 15-Year, S$118 Million Taiwan Government Charter for Emergency Towage & Salvage Services
Broadway Industrial Group Receives Court Approval for Selective Capital Reduction and Delisting from SGX-ST 12
Cenvios Holdings to Compulsorily Acquire Sen Yue Holdings Shares After 95.46% Acceptance; Offer Extended to 14 April 2026
Rex International Holding Updates on Lime Petroleum Holding’s Financial Challenges and Restructuring Plans
Chasen Holdings Acquires Additional 22.05% Stake in Subsidiary RPT via Treasury Share Transfer
Samudera Shipping Line’s Blue Ocean Shipping Acquires and Takes Delivery of MV Sagami and MV Hyogo in Japan 1
Sunrise Shares Holdings Receives SGX Approval for Acquisition of Fuzhou Tianfujia Industrial Co., Ltd and Issuance of New Shares
Autagco Ltd. Announces S$3 Million Subscription Agreement for 3 Billion New Shares to Strengthen Financial Position and Fund Business Expansion
Geo Energy’s integrated infrastructure project 80% completed, secure binding term sheets for 9 Mil tonnes annual haulage
Trendlines portfolio company Seger Surgical achieves successful human trials of Laparoscopic Bowel Closure Device
Boustead‘s Wong and Amova, raised respective stakes in UI Boustead REIT
Secura wins $12.9 mil contract to provide security to Singapore’s public museums
Q&M’s Ng raises deemed stake in company with open market buying at 55.9 cents apiece
Bitcoin, the largest token, and a cohort of smaller digital assets have been an oasis of calm relative to the volatility in equities, gold and oil. As crude oil has surged more than 40%, bullion is down roughly 5% for the month and the MSCI World Index is down 4%. Meanwhile, Bitcoin pushed through a crucial psychological mark of US$75,000 on Tuesday in Asia, taking its gains since the war started at the end of February to nearly 14%.
Hong Kong stocks closed mostly flat, with the Hang Seng Index rising slightly by 0.1%, while the tech index dipped marginally despite strong market turnover.
Tech stocks were mixed: Alibaba and Meituan gained, while Tencent, Baidu, and several cloud and data-related firms declined. Chip and semiconductor stocks broadly fell, and fiber optics shares dropped sharply following industry concerns despite ongoing AI-related optimism. Some AI-related names posted modest gains.
Financial stocks were also mixed, with HSBC inching higher while AIA and HKEX slipped, and Chinese banks and brokerage firms generally advanced. Notably, Bright Smart surged significantly on news related to Ant Group’s stake acquisition.
Overall, the market showed cautious sentiment with sector rotation and mixed performance across tech, financial, and industrial stocks.
Hextar Capital secured a RM75.9 million subcontract in Sabah, and AWC won a RM26.14 million hospital services contract.
Khee San completed its restructuring plan and is aiming to exit PN17 status and regain market leadership.
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