Hedge funds pulled back from Asian markets last week, shedding stocks and reducing leveraged positions as they prepared for US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new reciprocal tariffs on April 2.

South Korea, China’s onshore markets, and Taiwan saw the heaviest selling, while hedge funds also ramped up short bets in Japan, Morgan Stanley noted in a prime brokerage report this week.

The shift in positioning reflects growing uncertainty over Trump’s latest trade measures, which could sharply increase tariff rates and disrupt global commerce.

Export-driven Asian economies remain particularly exposed to US tariff risks.

According to a recent US Treasury report, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Taiwan hold the largest trade surpluses with the US, making them vulnerable to any retaliatory action.

The anticipated tariffs could further escalate tensions between Washington and its key trading partners, with analysts warning of potential spillover effects on global supply chains.

Asian stock markets’ reaction to tariff concerns

Asian stock markets have already felt the pressure of tariff concerns.

Since March 26, when Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported cars, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index has declined by 6%, while South Korea’s KOSPI has dropped by 5%.

China’s CSI 300 index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index hit nearly one-month lows on Monday as investors braced for further trade uncertainty.

Morgan Stanley analysts noted that Asian hedge funds suffered losses of around 60 to 70 basis points last week, bringing their average monthly return down by 0.37%.

In response, these funds significantly reduced their net leverage, which fell by six percentage points to 61% compared to the previous week.

By region, hedge funds flipped to net sellers in South Korea, anticipating volatility from the country’s decision to lift a five-year short-selling ban.

They also unwound consumer stock positions in China and exited sizable holdings in Taiwan. The outflows were mainly driven by multi-strategy and macro funds, according to Morgan Stanley.

Broader hedge fund positioning

The retreat from Asian markets is part of a broader trend of hedge funds cutting exposure globally.

A separate report from Goldman Sachs said that hedge funds have significantly reduced their holdings in major emerging markets, maintaining a higher number of short positions than long ones in Latin American and Asian equities so far this year.

In Asia, March saw particularly heavy selling of stocks, according to Goldman Sachs data. Short positions, which bet on declining asset prices, outnumbered long bets, which anticipate gains.

Funds have also scaled back investments in stocks closely tied to economic cycles.

Companies such as auto-parts manufacturers, select jewellery brands, and home furnishing retailers—sectors that typically struggle during periods of weak consumer spending—have seen notable declines in hedge fund interest.

European auto stocks, once a favoured trade for hedge funds earlier this year, are now being offloaded.

Selling pressure has intensified since Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks set to take effect on April 3, with additional duties on auto parts scheduled for May 3.

Speculators have increased short bets on the sector, driving the ratio of long to short positions to near historic lows, Goldman Sachs noted.

Meanwhile, hedge funds have been net buyers of stocks linked to metals prices in recent weeks, accumulating positions at multi-year highs, according to the bank’s analysis.

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Barclays share price has stalled in the past two months as concerns about its investment banking division remain. The stock initially peaked at 316p on March 3 and has now pulled back to 293p as the focus shifts to the upcoming financial results and its investment bank division.

Investment bank challenges remain

Barclays is one of the top European banks with a valuation of over $53 billion. It is a giant company that operates in about 40 countries, including in the UK and New York. 

Barclays operates its business in two key segments: Barclays UK and Barclays International. The latter business includes its Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) and Consumer, Cards, and Payments (CCP).

Its investment bank is involved in areas like mergers and acquisitions, corporate banking, FICC trading, and corporate lending. FICC stands for fixed income, commodities, and currencies. 

This division is going through major challenges this year as corporate activity slow in areas where Barclays operates. The volume of M&A in the US this year stand at $467 billion, a few points below the same period last year. In Europe, M&A volume has jumped by about 4% this year. The key bright spots in global M&A this year is in Canada, Japan, Asia, and Austraasia. 

Analysts are concerned that the Trump administration has not been all that friendly to corporate dealmaking as was widely expected. This performance means that the division could be a drag when the company publishes its financial results.

The most recent numbers showed that Barclays investment bank’s income stood at £2.6 billion in the fourth quarter, an increase from the £2 billion it made a year earlier. Its profit before tax increased slightly to £0.5 billion.

Barclays other businesses are doing well

The numbers showed that Barclays’ business did well in 2024 as its other divisions continued doing better than the management estimated. Its return on tangible equity rose to 10.5% in 2024, higher than the estimated 10.0%.

Like other European companies, Barclays is rewarding its shareholders well. It returned £3 billion to these shareholders last year through a combination of dividends and share buybacks. The dividends stood at £3 billion, giving it a yield of about 2.5%.]

Barclays aims to boost its shareholder returns by gradually reducing its CET-1 ratio, which stood at 13.6%. It will achieve that by distributing at least £10 billion to shareholders until 2026. This big number represents about 4% of the combined valuation.

Barclays is also working to align its costs. Its operating costs dropped by about 1% in 2024, while the company has committed to slash about £700 billion worth of cuts from its corporate and investment bank division through 2026.

Cutting these costs will be crucial as the company braces for more interest rate cuts that may affect its net interest income.

Barclays share price analysis

BARC stock chart by TradingView

The daily chart shows that the BARC share price has stalled in the past few months as concerns about its investment bank business remained. 

Barclays has remained slightly above the ascending trendline that connects the lowest swings since January 13. This trendline is the diagonal of the ascending triangle pattern, a popular bullish sign in technical analysis. 

Barclays share price has remained above the 50-day and 100-day moving averages, a sign that bulls have prevailed. 

Therefore, the stock will likely have a strong bullish breakout, with the initial target being the upper side of the triangle at 311p. A move above that level will point to further gains to 350p. However, a drop below the lower side of this triangle will signal more downside over time.

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The US auto industry saw a surge in sales last month as consumers rushed to purchase vehicles ahead of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imported cars and parts.

Several major automakers reported sharp increases in sales for March, as buyers sought to avoid the price hikes expected once the tariffs take effect.

“This past weekend was by far the best weekend I’ve seen in a very long time,” Randy Parker, the chief executive of Hyundai Motor North America, told reporters on Tuesday.

The company reported a 13% increase in March sales on Monday compared with a year earlier.

Ford Motor Company saw an even bigger jump, with a 19% rise in March sales at dealerships.

However, the company’s overall first-quarter sales dropped by 1% to about 500,000 vehicles due to weaker fleet sales.

General Motors did not disclose a separate figure for March, but its first-quarter sales rose 17% year-over-year, reaching 693,000 vehicles.

The rush to buy comes ahead of Trump’s planned 25% tariff on imported vehicles, set to take effect on Thursday.

The tariffs will extend to imported auto parts on May 3, posing a challenge even for cars assembled in the US, as many contain foreign components that make up more than half of their total value.

Analysts predict price hikes of over $10,000 for some models as automakers adjust to the new levies.

EVs and hybrids gain momentum

As overall sales climbed, electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids experienced particularly strong growth, while traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles saw more modest increases or outright declines.

General Motors reported that its EV sales nearly doubled to 32,000 units in the first quarter, driven by the launch of the electric Equinox SUV, one of the most affordable EVs in the US market at a starting price of around $35,000.

Toyota saw hybrid and EV sales surge 44% in March to 113,000 units, making up nearly half of its total sales.

While Toyota remains dominant in the hybrid segment, its fully electric vehicle presence remains relatively small.

Ford said its hybrid sales rose 33% in the first quarter, while EV sales, including the Mustang Mach-E, climbed 12%.

Meanwhile, sales of ICE-powered cars dropped 5%.

Hyundai reported a 68% jump in hybrid sales, while EV sales edged up 3%.

BMW saw a 26% rise in EV sales, contributing to a 4% overall increase in its US sales for the first quarter.

Uncertainty looms over future pricing

Despite the strong March performance, automakers remain uncertain about how tariffs will impact their pricing strategies.

Hyundai and Kia, which operate factories in Georgia and Alabama, still import a significant number of vehicles from South Korea.

“We haven’t made any firm decisions yet,” Parker said.

However, he advised potential buyers not to wait, adding, “Don’t wait to buy tomorrow what you can buy today.”

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Val Kilmer, the acclaimed actor behind iconic roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has died at the age of 65.

He passed away on Tuesday night in Los Angeles from pneumonia, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer.

Despite a battle with throat cancer diagnosed in 2014, Kilmer had recovered after multiple tracheotomies and extensive treatment.

Although Kilmer’s on-screen legacy spans decades, his financial story reflects a dramatic shift from one of Hollywood’s highest-paid stars in the 1990s to a more modest net worth in later years.

At the time of his death in 2025, his fortune was reportedly estimated at $10 million.

Kilmer’s peak Hollywood earnings

Val Kilmer’s career reached its financial zenith in the mid-’90s.

In 1995, he earned $7 million for Batman Forever — equivalent to about $12 million today — making him one of the top-paid actors of the era.

This was followed by a $7 million paycheque for The Saint and $6 million for The Island of Dr. Moreau in 1997, totalling $13 million in that year alone.

His highest single payday came in 1999 when he received $9 million for At First Sight.

These multi-million-dollar contracts made him a regular fixture on studio shortlists for blockbuster leads, with his intense method acting style and versatile performances often drawing both praise and friction on set.

Property, books, and royalties

Although Kilmer faced financial challenges later in life, including the cost of health treatments and the impact of a high-profile divorce, his wealth remained supported by a range of creative and business pursuits.

He previously owned a 6,000-acre ranch in New Mexico, which he began selling in parts in 2009.

By 2011, most of the property had been sold for $18.5 million, though he retained 160 acres until his death.

Kilmer also turned to writing, publishing I’m Your Huckleberry: A Memoir, which became a New York Times bestseller.

He had earlier released poetry collections and, in 2012, earned a Grammy nomination for his spoken word album The Mark of Zorro.

These projects, along with residuals from past roles, contributed to his $10 million net worth by 2025.

Health battles and final roles

Val Kilmer’s career slowed in the 2000s after back-to-back commercial failures such as Red Planet.

He transitioned to indie films and stage productions, including a one-man show, Citizen Twain, in 2012.

In 2017, he appeared in Terrence Malick’s Song to Song, and in 2022, he made a brief return as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, reportedly earning $400,000 for the cameo, though the figure was never confirmed.

Despite his limited speaking ability following trachea surgeries, his performance in Top Gun: Maverick received attention for its emotional resonance.

The film marked a significant public return and introduced Kilmer to a new generation of viewers.

Method acting and controversy

Known for his commitment to roles, Kilmer trained under the Suzuki Method and often stayed in character off-camera.

While filming Tombstone, he reportedly filled his bed with ice to mimic the symptoms of tuberculosis.

For The Doors, he wore leather pants year-round and insisted on being called Jim Morrison by the cast and crew.

These intense preparations, however, earned him a reputation for being difficult on set.

Filmmakers such as Joel Schumacher and John Frankenheimer publicly criticised his behaviour, though others like Irwin Winkler acknowledged his talent and creative input.

Kilmer acknowledged the friction in his 2021 documentary Val, stating that his dedication to artistic truth sometimes alienated studio heads.

In his memoir, he noted, “I had been deemed difficult and alienated the head of every major studio.”

His political activity included supporting Ralph Nader’s 2008 campaign and advocating for religious exemptions to Obamacare in 2013.

In 2009, he considered running for governor of New Mexico, where he lived.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer.

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Groupon stock price has rebounded this year as its financial results showed that its turnaround was working. GRPN shares have risen in the last four consecutive weeks, and are hovering at the highest swing since March 11. It has jumped by 137% from its lowest level in 2024. 

Groupon’s turnaround is showing results

Groupon is an American company offering local e-commerce solutions across the country. At its peak, it was one of the top competitors to other companies in the industry like eBay and Amazon. It was so successful that it rejected a $6 billion buyout from Google. Today, the company has a market cap of $747 million.

Groupon has been affected by changing consumer behavior over time. In particular, the company’s business was affected by the growth of companies like Amazon and Walmart, which have subscription services that guarantee faster deliveries.

These packages have attracted millions of customers in the US, who prefer their solutions to other smaller e-commerce firms. Indeed, other e-commerce companies in the US like Etsy and eBay have also slipped in the past few years.

Groupon’s business has also been affected by the management’s decision to slash marketing costs as a percentage to its revenues.

In the past few years, however, the management has been working to turn the company around by focusing on three pillars: marketplace health, platform modernization, and financial strength.

There are signs that these pillars are progressing well. For example, in its marketplace health, the company has stopped chasing volume, and shifting to focusing on value. This strategy is working as its billings have improved after falling a few years ago.

Further, on platform modernization, the company is now focusing on data-driven marketing to grow its sales, while its finances have moved from negative EBITDA and free cash flow toa positive one.

Improving financials and return to growth 

Groupon’s business has been losing ground in the past few years as its annual revenues have plunged. Data shows that its annual revenue dropped from $1.416 billion in 2020 to $967 million in 2021.

Sales then dropped to $967 million in 2021, $599 million in 2022, $514 million in 2023, and $492 million in 2024.

Analysts believe that the company’s trend could be about to change, helped by the management’s turnaround efforts. As a result, the average estimate among analysts is that its annual revenue will be $496 million this year followed by $533 million in 2026.

The management, on the other hand, estimates that its revenue will be between $493 million and $500 million this year. Most importantly, after recording negative EBITDA for years, the company expects that its EBITDA metric will grow to between $70 million and $75 million. Its free cash flow will be at least $41 million.

Therefore, this progress will likely help to support its stock price in the coming months since the current numbers show that it is a highly overvalued company.

Groupon stock price analysis 

GRPN stock chart | Source: TradingView 

The weekly chart shows that the Groupon stock price has been in a strong recovery in the past few weeks. It jumped and now sits at a crucial resistance level where it has failed to move above two times before.

GRPN stock has formed an ascending triangle pattern, a popular continuation sign in technical analysis. The stock sits above the 50-week moving average, and slightly above the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level.

Therefore, the path of the least resistance for the stock is bullish, with the next resistance level to watch being at $26.70, the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement level, which is about 45% above the current level. A move above that level will bring the 50% retracement at $34, up by 82% from the current point.

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