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PANews reported on March 31 that Eurozone inflation surged this month and exceeded the European Central Bank's 2% target, driven by a sharp increase in oil and gas prices. This has intensified the policy dilemma: high energy costs are weighing on economic growth while also raising the risk of triggering an inflationary spiral. Data released by the EU statistics agency on Tuesday shows that the overall inflation rate in the Eurozone rose from 1.9% in the previous month to 2.5% in March, with energy costs up by 4.9%. If companies pass on higher costs to their selling prices and workers demand higher wages due to a decline in real disposable income, rapidly rising energy inflation could easily spread. ECB President Lagarde stated last week that if the central bank does nothing, the public may begin to question its determination to fight inflation. Even when inflation shocks are significant but short-lived, this would strengthen the case for interest rate hikes. Financial markets currently expect the ECB to raise rates three times this year, with the first likely in April or June. Although some officials, including Bundesbank President Nagel, say a rate hike as early as April is also an option, others such as Executive Board member Schnabel have warned against acting hastily.

Golden Ten Data reported on March 31 that analysts at Saxo Bank stated that as the war in the Middle East continues, the market appears to be shifting its focus from concerns over an inflation shock caused by surging energy prices to worries about a more pronounced growth shock. This shift is increasingly putting pressure on the stock market while providing support for bonds and gold, as investors are reassessing the balance between inflation risks and economic slowdown. Previously, soaring energy prices and the resulting market expectations of central bank interest rate hikes had put pressure on bonds and gold, pushing yields higher.

Golden Ten Data reported on March 31 that HuaAn Fund Management Co., Ltd. announced that the HuaAn S&P Global Oil Index Securities Investment Fund (LOF) (abbreviated as: Oil Fund LOF, trading code: 160416) will be suspended from the market opening on April 1, 2026 until 10:30 that day (UTC+8), and trading will resume from 10:30 on April 1, 2026 (UTC+8). During the suspension period, the fund's redemption services will operate as usual.