Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Markets Hit by Tech and Luxury Slowdown
Asian equities tumbled on Wednesday following disappointing earnings from European tech giant ASML and French luxury firm LVMH. These underwhelming results shook investor confidence, with key Asian stock indices in the red.
South Korea's tech-heavy index fell 0.6%, while Japan's Nikkei dropped 1.8%, led by chip stocks. Taiwan's stocks slipped 1.2%, contributing to a 0.32% decline in MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan.
ASML Earnings Disappoint, Chip Stocks Hit Globally
ASML, a major supplier to chipmakers like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, reported lower-than-expected sales forecasts for 2025. Despite a boom in AI-related chips, other semiconductor sectors remain weak, causing customer caution.
“The ASML numbers were not good, signaling broader issues in the semiconductor market outside of AI,” said Nick Ferres, CIO at Vantage Point Asset Management.
China’s Luxury Demand Falters
French luxury brand LVMH also reported declining demand in China, further dampening optimism around China’s stimulus measures. Investors are now closely watching China’s upcoming announcement on property sector policies, hoping for more robust action to stabilize growth.
U.S. Dollar Strengthens on Fed Rate Expectations
In the U.S., shifting expectations regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts have buoyed the dollar. The U.S. dollar index hovered near its highest levels since August, driven by speculation of a 25 basis point rate cut in the coming months.
Oil Prices Steady Amid Middle East Uncertainty
Oil prices remained steady after recent declines, with Brent crude rising 0.4% to $74.56 per barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate up 0.5% at $70.93, as markets remained uncertain about Middle East tensions and global supply risks.
