Trump’s Inauguration Shakes Global Financial Markets

Global financial markets are reacting to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, leading to a mix of optimism and caution across various asset classes. Here’s a comprehensive analysis of the current market conditions in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, along with insights into stocks, forex, cryptocurrencies, and commodities.

Stock Performance: U.S. stock futures indicate a positive opening after Trump’s inauguration. The BSE Sensex rose by 73 points to 77,146.49, and the Nifty 50 increased by 68.15 points to 23,412.90. Key stocks like UltraTech Cement and Titan led the gains, while Zomato faced a sharp decline of 8%.
Investor Sentiment: The sentiment is buoyed by expectations of tax cuts and deregulation under Trump’s administration, although concerns about potential tariffs on imports linger.

Asian markets displayed mixed results. Hong Kong’s stock market led gains amid hopes that trade tensions with the U.S. might ease. In contrast, South Korea’s market faced challenges due to political instability and a downgraded economic growth forecast by the Bank of Korea.
Japan’s Nikkei index saw slight fluctuations as investors remained cautious about currency volatility and its impact on exports.

European stocks opened higher following positive cues from the U.S., with Germany’s DAX surpassing 21,000 points for the first time. The FTSE 100 in London also approached record highs.
The euro appreciated against the dollar, trading at approximately $1.0419, while the pound was valued at around $1.2314, reflecting investor relief over Trump’s cautious approach to tariffs.

The U.S. dollar weakened significantly against major currencies, dropping over 1% against both the euro and pound as reports indicated that Trump would not impose immediate tariffs upon his inauguration.
This decline in the dollar is seen as a reaction to the anticipated easing of trade tensions and a more measured approach to economic policy under Trump.

Bitcoin surged to a new record high above $109,000, reflecting heightened investor interest as Trump signaled plans to deregulate the cryptocurrency sector.
Other cryptocurrencies also experienced significant gains, with XRP rising by 11% and Litecoin by 20%, indicating strong bullish sentiment in the crypto market.

Oil prices fell more than 1%, reflecting adjustments amid geopolitical uncertainties and potential shifts in U.S. energy policy under Trump.
Gold prices remained steady as investors sought safe-haven assets amidst ongoing inflation concerns.

Investors are closely monitoring Trump’s proposed economic policies, particularly regarding tariffs on imports from China and other countries. While initial reports suggest a more cautious approach to tariffs, analysts expect that discussions around trade could lead to significant market volatility.
Trump’s administration is likely to focus on tax cuts and deregulation, which could stimulate economic growth but also raise concerns about inflation.