Asian stocks and U.S. futures fell significantly on Monday. Concerns over President Trump’s remarks about the Federal Reserve, coupled with persistent tariff uncertainties and rising gold prices, influenced investor outlook. Meanwhile, oil prices decreased on signs of progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Market Overview

• U.S. Futures Performance:

  • S&P 500 futures: –0.64%

  • Nasdaq 100 futures: –0.53%

• Asian Stock Performance:

  • Nikkei 225: –1.0%

  • KOSPI: Unchanged

  • TAIEX: –1.0%

  • CSI 300: +0.2%

• Treasury Yields: The 10-year U.S. yield rose 1.7 bps to 4.344%.

Pressures on Fed Independence

• Presidential Influence: Confirming speculation, White House adviser Kevin Hassett revealed that the administration is considering the removal of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, spurring worries around the autonomy of the Federal Reserve.

• Market Mood Impact: Speculation regarding political involvement typically undermines confidence in U.S. monetary policy, which puts pressure on the dollar and adversely affects stock market sentiment.

Ongoing Tariff Uncertainties

• Trade Tensions Persist: U.S. tariffs on critical trading partners continue to create uncertainty regarding future economic growth.

• Investor Wariness: Market participants are cautious as they await clarity on the direction of tariffs—whether new ones will be imposed or existing ones rolled back.

Gold Prices Rise

• Gold Price Movement: Gold prices have surged 1% to $3,370.17 per ounce, reaching all-time highs.

• 2025 Year-to-Date Gain: Gold prices are up by 26% amidst ongoing geopolitical and policy uncertainties.

Market Reactions to Oil Price Changes

• Brent Crude Price: Down 1.75% to $66.77 per barrel.

• WTI Price: Down 1.75% to $63.55 per barrel.

• Reason for Movement: Advancements in U.S.-Iran discussions regarding a potential nuclear deal have eased supply disruption fears.

Earnings Reports to Watch

This week’s earnings reports from major U.S. companies will be crucial for assessing the impact of tariffs on consumer spending:

• Alphabet (GOOGL)

• Intel (INTC)

• Tesla (TSLA)

For tracking upcoming earnings dates and results, it’s beneficial to stay informed through available market sources.

The combined pressures of monetary policy concerns, trade uncertainties, and changing safe-haven flows suggest that market volatility may continue in the near future.