Oil Prices Steady but Head for Weekly Loss as Supply Glut Concerns Weigh 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
U.S. Stocks End Mixed as January CPI Cools, Treasury Yields Slide 
U.S.–Taiwan Trade Agreement Sets 15% Tariff, Boosts Energy and Semiconductor Investment 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
Gold Prices Steady Above $5,000 as Markets Eye Fed Minutes and PCE Inflation Data 
Ukraine Secures $8.2 Billion IMF Loan as Tax Conditions Are Eased 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Japan Signals Openness to Gradual BOJ Rate Hikes as Deflation Era Ends 
MOEX Russia Index Closes Flat as Gold Surges and Ruble Strengthens 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
Gold and Silver Prices Slip After Strong U.S. Jobs Data, Fed Rate Cut Bets Fade 
Yen Surges After Takaichi Election Win as Markets Eye U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian currencies moved within a narrow range on Monday as thin holiday trading and steady U.S. dollar performance limited major price swings. Market closures in China, Taiwan, and South Korea reduced regional liquidity, while U.S. markets were also shut, keeping the dollar index largely unchanged after mixed U.S. inflation data.
The Japanese yen weakened after disappointing fourth-quarter GDP figures highlighted slower-than-expected economic growth. The USD/JPY pair rose 0.2% following data showing that Japan’s economy expanded well below forecasts. Soft business investment weighed heavily on growth, while exports and private consumption also remained subdued. The weak GDP reading suggests that fiscal stimulus introduced in late 2025 has yet to deliver meaningful momentum. With Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition holding a supermajority in the lower house, markets anticipate the possibility of additional fiscal spending. However, concerns over Japan’s rising fiscal burden and reduced expectations for further Bank of Japan interest rate hikes continue to pressure the yen.
The U.S. dollar held steady after January’s consumer price index report delivered mixed signals. Headline inflation came in slightly below expectations, while core CPI matched forecasts. The dollar index retained much of last week’s losses as investors weighed uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook and an upcoming leadership transition. A sharp decline in U.S. equities also dampened demand for the greenback.
Analysts note that further dollar weakness may be limited if upcoming U.S. economic data, including industrial production, trade figures, and the PCE price index, show resilience. The Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes are also in focus.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar hovered near three-year highs after hawkish signals from the Reserve Bank of Australia. The Indian rupee edged toward 90.7 per dollar, while the Singapore dollar softened after weaker non-oil exports data. Offshore yuan trading saw modest gains amid Lunar New Year demand expectations, with mainland Chinese markets closed for the week.
