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Here are the key global financial highlights for April 23, 2025, covering U.S. policy dynamics, international market trends, Taiwan's stock market overview, and global economic outlook:

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🇺🇸 U.S. Policy and Market Dynamics

Trump pressures Fed Chair Powell, market volatility intensifies

U.S. President Trump recently publicly criticized Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Powell, calling him "Mr. Slowpoke" and urged for immediate interest rate cuts. This has raised concerns about the Fed's independence, leading to a weaker dollar and simultaneous declines in U.S. stocks and bonds.

U.S. stock indices opened higher but closed lower

Despite investors focusing on corporate earnings reports, the three major U.S. stock indices rose at the opening but ultimately closed down. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 971.82 points, closing at 38,170.41 points; the S&P 500 index fell by 124.50 points, closing at 5,158.20 points; the Nasdaq index fell by 415.55 points, closing at 15,870.90 points.

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🌍 Global Economic and Market Overview

IMF lowers global economic growth forecast

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) latest report has downgraded the global economic growth forecast for 2025 to 3.2% and warned that the tariff war could severely impact the world economy. The report indicates that the pace of global inflation decline will be slower than expected, with a projected 4.3% for 2025.

Gold prices soar to new highs

Driven by safe-haven demand, gold prices have surpassed $3,400 per ounce, setting a new historical high. Investors are concerned that the global trade war will drag down economic and corporate profit growth, leading them to turn to safe-haven assets like gold.

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🇹🇼 Taiwan Market Dynamics

Taiwan's stock market opens lower, market sentiment cautious

Affected by the sharp decline in U.S. stocks, the Taiwan Weighted Index opened lower, and market sentiment turned cautious. Investors are watching U.S. policy trends and the global economic outlook, maintaining a wait-and-see attitude towards Taiwan's stock market in the future.

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🇨🇳 China’s Economic and Policy Trends

Central Committee promotes free trade pilot zone strategy

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued "Opinions on Implementing the Strategy for Enhancing Free Trade Pilot Zones," supporting innovative development in digital trade and orderly expansion of financial openness, aiming to promote high-level openness to the outside world.

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