German Exports to the U.S. Decline Sharply as Tariffs Reshape Trade in 2025 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
China’s Power Market Revamp Fuels Global Boom in Energy Storage Batteries 
U.S. Stocks Rally to Record Highs as AI Rebound Fuels Holiday-Shortened Session 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as Strong U.S. Growth and Supply Risks Support Market 
Asian Stock Markets Trade Flat as Holiday Liquidity Thins and BOJ Minutes Watched 
U.S. Dollar Slips as Yen Finds Support on Intervention Signals and Geopolitical Risks Rise 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
UK Economy Grows 0.1% in Q3 2025 as Outlook Remains Fragile 
US and Japan Fast-Track $550 Billion Strategic Investment Initiative 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
UBS Warns of Short-Term Risks as Precious Metals Rally to Record Highs 
Global Demand for Yuan Loans and Bonds Surges as China Pushes Currency Internationalization 
Platinum Price Surges Past $2,000 as Demand and Supply Dynamics Tighten 
Asian stocks showed mixed performance in light trading Thursday, with several markets closed for the Lunar New Year. The U.S. dollar remained steady after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged, signaling no rush to cut them.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that while the economy remains strong, it is not overheating. However, uncertainty looms over U.S. trade policies, with potential new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China set for Saturday.
On Wall Street, major tech earnings were mixed. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) exceeded revenue expectations, but Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) missed profit margin estimates. Meta (NASDAQ: META) provided a weaker-than-expected first-quarter revenue forecast, while Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) reports earnings later Thursday. The results had little impact on concerns about Chinese AI startup DeepSeek challenging U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence, which had sparked a global tech selloff earlier in the week.
U.S. stock indexes closed slightly lower Wednesday, with tech dragging down the S&P 500 by 0.5%. However, futures pointed to a 0.4% rebound. Australia's benchmark index rose 0.5%, while Japan's Nikkei remained flat.
The U.S. dollar index held at 107.89, with the euro at $1.0420 ahead of the European Central Bank's expected rate cut. The yen strengthened 0.4% to 154.55 per dollar before a speech from Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino.
Oil prices edged higher after U.S. crude closed at its lowest level this year. WTI crude rose 0.3% to $72.84 per barrel, while Brent crude added 0.2% to $76.73, with markets watching Trump’s potential tariffs on Canada and Mexico, key U.S. oil suppliers.
