Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian stock markets traded mixed on Friday as investors assessed contrasting signals from major central banks, while most regional indexes held steady ahead of key U.S. inflation data. Market sentiment was shaped by India’s rate cut, renewed expectations of a Bank of Japan hike, and anticipation surrounding the Federal Reserve’s next move.
In India, the Reserve Bank of India lowered its key repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, delivering a widely expected move aimed at supporting economic growth as inflation continues to ease. Governor Sanjay Malhotra noted that inflation had “eased significantly” and is likely to remain softer than previous forecasts. The central bank also upgraded its GDP growth outlook for FY26, reinforcing confidence in the country’s economic momentum. The Nifty 50 index responded modestly, ticking up 0.2% following the announcement. Although the rate cut was anticipated, earlier optimism had cooled due to strong economic performance and the rupee’s slide to record lows.
Japanese stocks moved in the opposite direction, with the Nikkei 225 dropping about 1.5% as traders grew increasingly convinced that the Bank of Japan may raise interest rates in December. Comments from BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda earlier in the week were viewed as hawkish, and a Reuters report indicated that policymakers could proceed with a hike with government tolerance, pressuring sentiment in Tokyo.
Across the broader Asian region, trading remained subdued as investors awaited the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Jobless claims data from the U.S. showed a decline to 191,000, keeping rate-cut expectations intact. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite were little changed, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged 0.2% lower. South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.7%, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slipped 0.4%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 traded mostly flat.
This mix of policy shifts and cautious trading continues to shape investor outlook ahead of major economic updates.
