📆 Tuesday, April 15
► European stocks climbed broadly on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump floated a potential pause in auto tariffs, fueling a relief rally across equity markets. The Stoxx 600 rose over 1.1%, led by strong gains in autos and tech. Germany’s DAX surged over 1.1%, while France’s CAC 40 gained 0.3% with LVMH weighing on the index. The UK’s FTSE 100 added over 1% as investor sentiment improved on hopes of de-escalation in Trump’s trade agenda. The auto sector outperformed with Stellantis, BMW, Volkswagen, and Renault posting sharp gains, supported by reports that the White House may give the industry more time to expand U.S. production. However, LVMH plunged 7.5% after a disappointing quarter, losing its crown as Europe’s most valuable luxury firm to Hermès.
► U.S. equity futures rose modestly, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures both up about 0.2%, as markets digested tariff shifts and braced for key earnings this week. The potential suspension of auto tariffs provided new relief after the exception for electronic products last week and is what SmartTrader chief analyst Robert Lindner called “maintaining a positive news flow,” thus predicting that Trump would make such a decision again. However, new Section 232 investigations into pharmaceutical and semiconductor imports signaled that further tariffs may be on the horizon. 10-year Treasury yields are flat for now at 4.38%, continuing to stabilize after last week’s historic spike. Meanwhile, the USD steadied after a five-day slide, offering room for equities and commodities to breathe. Markets await the release of Q1 earnings from major companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Bank of America.
► Asian markets ended higher, albeit with more modest gains. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.89%, lifted by strong performance in autos and tech. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.23%, while China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.15%, supported by better-than-expected trade data and easing inflation. In Australia, the ASX 200 rose 0.17%, with commodity-linked sectors staying resilient. The region remained cautiously optimistic amid signs of softening U.S. protectionism.
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