Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Asian stocks tumbled Friday, led by steep declines in Japan and South Korea, as tech shares mirrored Wall Street’s Nvidia-driven slump. Investors also assessed Tokyo’s latest inflation data ahead of the key U.S. PCE inflation report, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s rate outlook.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.2%, hitting its lowest since September 2024. SoftBank (TYO:9984) plunged 5.3%, while Tokyo Electron (TYO:8035) lost 5.1% and Panasonic (TYO:6752) fell 2%. South Korea’s KOSPI declined 3.1%, with Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) down 2.2% and SK Hynix (KS:000660) sinking 4.7%. India’s Nifty 50 fell 1%, and Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 1.1%.
In China, the Shanghai Composite dropped over 1%, while the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 fell 0.9%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 2.6% but remained on track for a 15% gain in February, fueled by investor enthusiasm for DeepSeek’s AI advancements. Despite U.S. tariff concerns, Chinese tech stocks surged, with Alibaba (HK:9988) soaring 48% and Xiaomi (HK:1810) up 37% this month.
Tokyo’s core CPI rose 2.2% in February, easing from January’s 2.5% but staying above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for the fourth month. Japan’s industrial output fell 1.1% in January, though manufacturers expect a 5% rebound in February. Meanwhile, retail sales rose 3.9% YoY, signaling steady consumer spending.
Global markets remain volatile as investors weigh inflation data, interest rate expectations, and tech sector performance.
