S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico MarketThe dollar index edged above 100 on Friday after stronger than expected US jobs data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 178,000 in March, the strongest gain since late 2024, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 4.3%, partly reflecting a decline in labor force participation. The data pointed to a stabilizing labor market even as the Iran conflict began.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions remained in focus as President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric against Iran, threatening strikes on key infrastructure, while reports indicated further attacks across the Gulf region. Rising energy prices are adding to inflation concerns, keeping markets cautious. Trading activity is likely to remain subdued due to the Good Friday holiday, with US equity markets closed and bond trading on a shortened schedule.
