Key Takeaways
- China’s trade balance reached $213.62 billion for the Jan-Feb period, with exports surging 21.8% Y/Y, crushing the consensus estimate of 7.1%.
- Apple (AAPL) now produces 25% of all iPhones in India, following a massive 53% increase in local production throughout 2025.
- Taiwan’s main stock index jumped 3.6% to reach 33,256.69 points, leading a regional rebound as oil prices cooled on hopes of a Middle East de-escalation.
- Oracle (ORCL) confirmed its Abilene facility is progressing, with 200MW of power already operational at the high-profile AI data center site.
- Oppenheimer raised its price target for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) to $600, reflecting growing analyst confidence in the company's renal and pain management pipeline.
China Trade Data Smashes Expectations
China reported a massive beat in its combined January-February trade data, signaling a robust recovery in global demand. Exports rose 21.8% in dollar-denominated terms, far outstripping the 7.1% growth analysts had projected. Imports also surprised to the upside, growing 19.8% against an expected 6.3%, resulting in a trade surplus of $213.62 billion.
Commodity appetite remained mixed but generally strong. Iron ore imports rose 10% to 210M MT, and copper imports increased 4.9%, reflecting a pickup in industrial activity. Conversely, soybean imports dropped 7.8% to 12.55M MT, suggesting a shift in agricultural purchasing patterns or domestic inventory management.
Apple’s Strategic Pivot to India Accelerates
Apple (AAPL) has significantly reduced its reliance on Chinese manufacturing, with India now accounting for approximately 25% of global iPhone production. This milestone follows a year where the company increased its Indian output by 53%, assembling roughly 55 million units in the country during 2025.
The shift is being driven by supply chain diversification strategies and aggressive production-linked incentives from the Indian government. Analysts note that this "China Pivot" is intended to mitigate risks associated with trade tensions and potential tariffs while tapping into India’s growing domestic market.
Markets Rebound on Geopolitical De-escalation Hopes
Asia-Pacific markets saw a sharp recovery on Tuesday, led by a 3.6% surge in Taiwan’s benchmark index. Hong Kong stocks also rebounded after oil prices retreated following comments from President Trump suggesting the war with Iran "could end soon." Trump indicated that any decision on an "exit mechanism" would be a joint move with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite the optimistic rhetoric, the security situation remains volatile. Hezbollah reported several strikes on Israeli military sites in Southern Lebanon, and the US Defense Department is reportedly considering requests for additional war funds. In a lighter turn, The Financial Times reported a shift in the President's personal diplomacy, noting he has recently taken to guessing shoe sizes and gifting dress shoes to advisers.
Corporate Highlights: Oracle and Vertex
Oracle (ORCL) provided a status update on its massive Abilene, Texas facility, confirming that 200MW of capacity is already running. While recent reports suggested some expansion plans with OpenAI had been scaled back, the current infrastructure remains a cornerstone of the "Stargate" AI initiative.
In the healthcare sector, Oppenheimer boosted its price target for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) to $600. The upgrade follows positive clinical momentum for the company’s renal franchise and its non-opioid pain treatment, Journavx, which analysts believe could diversify the firm's revenue beyond its core cystic fibrosis business.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.