Asian stocks struggled to advance as investors awaited US consumer price data that could dampen hopes for interest rate cuts this year, if inflation fails to decline significantly. The greenback was steady. The Nikkei fell 0.4%, the MSCI’s Asian-Pacific index fell 0.3%, and the S&P 500, which fell 0.5% overnight, saw futures remain steady in Asia’s morning trading. The current belief is that economists will expect the headlines of April’s US consumer price data to remain steady, but sticky figures could derail investors’ bets that interest rates will drop.
Rupee may test 94–95 zone soon as geopolitical risks mount: Analysts
The Indian rupee is facing pressure, nearing the 94/$ mark against the US dollar due to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and potential
March 23, 2026